'alloy' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'aleier', where 'a-' meant 'to' and 'leier' meant 'bind'.

'aleier' transformed into the Middle English word 'aloien', and eventually became the modern English word 'alloy'.

Initially, it meant 'to bind or combine metals', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a mixture of metals'.