'abiotrophy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'abiotrophia,' where 'a-' meant 'without' and 'bios' meant 'life,' combined with 'trophē' meaning 'nourishment.'

'abiotrophia' transformed into the modern English word 'abiotrophy' through scientific Latin.

Initially, it meant 'lack of nourishment leading to degeneration,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.