'ancipital' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ancipitalis,' where 'an-' meant 'two' and 'caput' meant 'head.'

'ancipitalis' transformed into the Medieval Latin 'ancipitalis,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ancipital.'

Initially, it meant 'having two heads,' but over time it also came to mean 'having two edges or sides,' especially in reference to blades.