'ankyloblepharon' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'ankyl-' (Greek 'ἀγκύλος') meaning 'crooked, bent' and 'blepharon' (Greek 'βλέφαρον') meaning 'eyelid'.

'ankyloblepharon' was formed in New Latin/medical English from the Greek roots 'ankylos' + 'blepharon' and entered English medical usage via 19th-century medical literature as a technical term for eyelid fusion.

Initially, the roots described a 'bent' or 'crooked eyelid,' but over time the compound came to denote the specific pathological condition of 'fusion of the eyelids.'