'anhydro-oxime' originates from modern chemical English, formed by combining the prefix 'anhydro-' and the noun 'oxime'. The prefix 'anhydro-' derives from Greek roots 'an-' (meaning 'not, without') and 'hydor' (ὕδωρ, meaning 'water'). 'oxime' entered English via 19th-century French 'oxime' (and German 'Oxim'), ultimately related to Greek 'oxys' (ὀξύς, 'sharp, acid') used in chemical naming.

'anhydro-oxime' is a compound formation in recent chemical nomenclature (Modern English) created by attaching 'anhydro-' to 'oxime'. The element 'oxime' was borrowed into English in the 19th century from French/German chemical literature and became a standard term for the =N–OH functional group.

Initially the components referred separately to 'without water' ('anhydro-') and the functional group 'oxime'; over time the combined term came to be used descriptively for oxime derivatives that are dehydrated or lack associated water, especially in modern organic chemistry contexts.