'alternate-pinnate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'alternatus' meaning 'to do by turns' and 'pinnatus' meaning 'feathered'.

'alternatus' and 'pinnatus' combined in botanical Latin to describe a specific leaf arrangement, eventually becoming the modern English term 'alternate-pinnate'.

Initially, it meant 'arranged in turns like feathers', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'leaflets arranged alternately along the rachis'.