'anacanthine' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anakanthos,' where 'an-' meant 'without' and 'akantha' meant 'thorn or spine.'

'anakanthos' transformed into the scientific term 'anacanthine' in modern English, used primarily in ichthyology.

Initially, it meant 'without thorns or spines,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.