'anovular' originates from a combination of Greek and Latin elements: the Greek privative prefix 'an-' meaning 'without' and the Latin root 'ovum' meaning 'egg', with the adjectival suffix '-ar' used to form adjectives.

'anovular' is a modern medical formation (New Latin/International Scientific Vocabulary) built from 'an-' + 'ovulation/ovum' and entered English usage via medical/technical Latin and English medical terminology.

Initially formed to denote 'without ovulation' in medical contexts, the term's meaning has remained essentially the same in modern usage.