'antapex' originates from Greek and Latin, specifically the prefix 'anti-' (Greek) meaning 'opposite' and the Latin word 'apex' meaning 'summit' or 'tip'.

'antapex' formed in Neo-Latin/scientific usage as a compound of Greek 'anti-' + Latin 'apex'; the Latin plural of 'apex' is 'apices', giving the plural form 'antapices' in some scholarly usage, while English also allows 'antapexes'.

Initially it meant 'the point opposite the apex' in technical contexts; this core meaning has been retained in modern scientific usage.