'segmental' originates from the Latin word 'segmentum', where 'seg-' meant 'to cut' and '-mentum' was a suffix forming nouns.

'segmentum' transformed into the French word 'segmental', and eventually became the modern English word 'segmental'.

Initially, it meant 'a part cut off or divided', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to a segment'.