'anodal' originates from Greek via New Latin/modern scientific usage, specifically the Greek word 'anodos' where 'ana-' meant 'up' and 'hodos' meant 'way'.

'anodal' developed from the English noun 'anode' (coined in the 19th century from Greek 'anodos' via New Latin), with the adjectival suffix '-al' added to form 'anodal'.

Initially the Greek root referred to an 'upward way' or path, but over time it became specialized in science to denote the electrode through which conventional current enters (anode); 'anodal' now means 'relating to or at the anode'.