'Anisopodid-like' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the noun 'Anisopodid' with the suffix '-like', where '-like' meant 'having the form of; similar to'.

'Anisopodid' derives from the New Latin family name 'Anisopodidae', which itself comes from Greek roots 'anisos' (unequal) + 'pous' (foot) that were Latinized for scientific taxonomy; the adjectival form was created in English by adding the productive suffix '-like' (from Old English 'līc').

Initially used in taxonomy to indicate relation to the family Anisopodidae, the formed adjective came to be used in descriptive contexts to mean 'resembling' or 'having characteristics of' an anisopodid.