'anarthropodous' originates from Greek, specifically the prefix 'an-' meaning 'not' and 'arthropodous' from 'arthron' meaning 'joint' and 'pous' meaning 'foot', together meaning 'not joint-footed'.

'anarthropodous' was formed in English by combining the Greek elements 'an-' and 'arthropodous', and has been used in scientific contexts to describe animals without jointed limbs.

Initially, it meant 'not having jointed feet or limbs', and this meaning has remained consistent in scientific usage.