'anaerobiotic' originates from Greek, specifically from the prefix 'an-' meaning 'without', 'aero-' meaning 'air', and 'bios' meaning 'life', with the suffix '-tic' forming an adjective.

'anaerobiotic' was formed in modern scientific English from the combination of Greek roots to describe organisms or processes that occur without oxygen.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to life without air (oxygen)', and this meaning has remained consistent in scientific usage.