What is the word origin of alter?

The word "alter" comes from the Latin word "alter", meaning "other" or "another".

Here's how it evolved:

* Latin: *alter* (meaning "other")

* Old French: *alter* (meaning "other, different")

* Middle English: *alter* (meaning "to change, to make different")

* Modern English: *alter* (meaning "to change, to make different")

So, when we talk about "altering" something, we are essentially talking about making it "other" or "different" from what it was before.