'anoplocephalic' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Anoplocephala', where 'an-' meant 'without', 'hoplon' (or 'hopl-') meant 'weapon/armor' and 'kephalē' meant 'head'.

'anoplocephalic' changed from the New Latin genus name 'Anoplocephala' and then adopted the English adjectival suffix '-ic' to form the modern English adjective 'anoplocephalic'.

Initially, the root described a morphological feature 'unarmed head' (used taxonomically), but over time it evolved into its current use meaning 'relating to or caused by the tapeworm genus Anoplocephala'.