'anaclastics' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anaklastikos,' where 'ana-' meant 'up' or 'back' and 'klastos' meant 'broken.'

'anaklastikos' transformed into the Latin word 'anaclastica,' and eventually became the modern English word 'anaclastics.'

Initially, it meant 'the breaking or bending of light,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the study of light refraction.'