'anapnea' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anapnoia,' where 'ana-' meant 'again' and 'pnoia' meant 'breathing.'

'anapnoia' transformed into the Late Latin word 'anapnoea,' and eventually became the modern English word 'anapnea.'

Initially, it meant 'breathing again,' but over time it evolved into its current medical meaning of 'the resumption of normal breathing after apnea.'