'anakrousis' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'ἀνάκρουσις' (anakrousis), where 'ana-' meant 'up' or 'again' and 'krousis' meant 'a striking' or 'a beating'.

'anakrousis' was adopted directly from Ancient Greek into English, retaining its technical meaning in poetry and music.

Initially, it meant 'a striking up' or 'beginning', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the upbeat or introductory unstressed syllable(s) in poetry or music'.