'anapneic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anapnoia,' where 'an-' meant 'without' and 'pnoia' meant 'breath.'

'anapnoia' was adopted into medical Latin as 'anapnoicus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'anapneic.'

Initially, it meant 'without breath,' and this meaning has remained consistent in modern medical usage.