'irregularly-altered' originates from the combination of 'irregularly' and 'altered'. 'Irregularly' comes from the Latin 'irregularis', meaning 'not regular', and 'altered' comes from the Latin 'alterare', meaning 'to change'.

'Irregularis' transformed into the Old French 'irregulier', and eventually became the modern English word 'irregular'. 'Alterare' transformed into the Old French 'alterer', and eventually became the modern English word 'alter'.

Initially, 'irregularly' meant 'not following a regular pattern', and 'altered' meant 'changed'. The combined term 'irregularly-altered' retains these meanings.