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

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

Initially, it meant 'without breath,' and over time it evolved into its current medical meaning of 'relating to the absence of breathing.'