'anelectrode' originates from Greek, specifically the prefix 'an-' meaning 'up' or 'again' and 'electrode' from 'ēlektron' meaning 'amber' (source of electricity).

'anelectrode' was formed in modern scientific English by combining the prefix 'an-' with 'electrode' to specify an electrode acting as an anode.

Initially, it meant 'an electrode acting as an anode,' and this meaning has remained consistent in scientific usage.