'anodynous' originates from Modern English, ultimately formed from the adjective 'anodyne' with the suffix '-ous' to produce an adjective meaning 'having the quality of an anodyne'.

'anodynous' derives from English 'anodyne', which itself came into English via Late Latin 'anodynus' and from Greek 'anodynos' (ἀνώδυνος), formed from the prefix 'a-' (not) + 'odynē' (pain).

Initially related to the Greek sense 'without pain', the term entered English to mean 'producing relief from pain' and later also acquired a broader figurative sense of 'inoffensive' or 'soothing'.