'anhydridize' originates from English, specifically the noun 'anhydride' and the verb-forming suffix '-ize,' where Greek 'anhydros' meant 'without water.'

'anhydros' in Greek passed via Neo-Latin 'anhydridum' and French 'anhydride' into English 'anhydride'; later, the derived verb 'anhydridize' formed in scientific English.

Initially, it meant 'to make without water; to form an anhydride by dehydration,' and this technical meaning remains essentially the same today.