'afterimage' originates from the combination of 'after' and 'image', where 'after' indicates a subsequent occurrence and 'image' refers to a visual representation.

'afterimage' was formed in English by combining 'after' and 'image' to describe the phenomenon of a lingering visual impression.

Initially, it meant 'a visual impression that remains after the removal of the stimulus,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.