'anta' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'anta', which in turn was borrowed from Greek 'ἀντή' (transliterated 'antē'), where it meant 'a projecting end of a wall'.

'anta' changed from the Greek word 'ἀντή' to Latin 'anta' and entered English via architectural Latin and descriptive writings on classical architecture, becoming the modern English 'anta'.

Initially, it meant 'a projecting part or end of a wall' and over time has remained a specialized architectural term referring to that specific feature.