'anaphase' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anaphasis,' where 'ana-' meant 'up, back' and 'phasis' meant 'appearance.'

'anaphasis' was adopted into scientific Latin as 'anaphasis,' and eventually became the modern English word 'anaphase.'

Initially, it referred to a 'reappearance' or 'moving back,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the stage in cell division when chromosomes move apart.'