'adoxaceous' originates from the New Latin term 'Adoxaceae', which is derived from the genus name 'Adoxa', where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'doxa' meant 'glory'.

'Adoxaceae' was adopted into English from the New Latin classification of plant families, specifically referring to a group of flowering plants.

Initially, it referred specifically to the plant family, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.