"A disorder, probably of autoimmune origin, typically resulting in loss of hair in patches from the scalp", Mid 19th cent.; earliest use found in The Cyclopaedia of Practical Medicine. From scientific Latin alopecia areata from classical Latin alōpecia + scientific Latin areata (from classical Latin ārea a bald patch (Celsus); in post-classical Latin also a type of baldness + -āta).[alopecia areata etymology, alopecia areata origin, 英语词源]