'anatexis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anatexis,' where 'ana-' meant 'up' or 'again' and 'tekein' meant 'to melt.'

'anatexis' was adopted into scientific English from the Greek word 'anatexis' in the late 19th century, and has since been used in geology to describe partial melting processes.

Initially, it meant 'melting up' or 'remelting,' but in modern geology, it specifically refers to the partial melting of rocks to form magma.