'anoxic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anoxia,' where 'an-' meant 'without' and 'oxys' meant 'sharp' or 'acid,' referring to oxygen.

'anoxia' transformed into the English word 'anoxic,' maintaining its reference to the absence of oxygen.

Initially, it meant 'without sharpness or acidity,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'lacking oxygen.'