'alloeosis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'alloiosis,' where 'allo-' meant 'other' and '-eosis' referred to 'a condition or process.'

'alloiosis' transformed into the Latin word 'alloeosis,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alloeosis.'

Initially, it meant 'a change or transformation,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a rhetorical device involving substitution.'