'aniline-soluble' is a compound formed from the noun 'aniline' and the adjective 'soluble'. 'aniline' originates from French 'aniline', ultimately via Portuguese 'anil' and Arabic 'an-nīl' from Sanskrit 'nīla' meaning 'indigo'. 'soluble' originates from Latin 'solubilis', from 'solvere' meaning 'to loosen' or 'to dissolve'.

The element 'aniline' entered English in the 19th century from French 'aniline' (itself from Portuguese/Arabic sources tied to the indigo dye). 'soluble' comes from Latin 'solubilis' through Old French/Latin into Middle English. The modern compound 'aniline-soluble' arose in technical chemical contexts by combining these established words to indicate solubility specifically in aniline.

Individually, 'aniline' referred historically to substances related to indigo or to the chemical aniline; 'soluble' has long meant 'able to be dissolved'. Combined, the modern technical meaning is specifically 'able to dissolve in aniline' (a solvent-specific solubility).