'anorthosite' originates from Greek elements, specifically from the prefix 'an-' (not) and 'orthos' (straight/upright) combined with the Greek 'lithos' (stone) via New Latin formation, where these roots conveyed the mineral/rock composition idea.

'anorthosite' entered scientific usage in New Latin/modern mineralogy and passed into German and French mineralogical literature before being adopted into English as 'anorthosite'; the adjective form 'anorthosite-bearing' is a later compound describing rocks that contain that mineral.

Initially the roots were used in mineral names (e.g., 'anorthite' for a plagioclase mineral), and over time the term evolved into 'anorthosite' to name a rock type largely composed of that mineral; 'anorthosite-bearing' later developed to describe materials containing that rock/mineral.