'anamorphose' originates from French, specifically the word 'anamorphoser,' which comes from Greek 'ana-' meaning 'again' or 'back' and 'morphē' meaning 'form' or 'shape.'

'anamorphoser' was adopted into English as 'anamorphose' in the 19th century, retaining its technical meaning in art and optics.

Initially, it meant 'to transform or distort form,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage, especially in artistic and scientific contexts.