'antelopine' originates from English, formed by adding the adjective-forming suffix '-ine' (from Latin '-īnus', via French '-in') to the noun 'antelope'.

'antelope' itself comes into English via Old French (antalop, antelope) and Medieval Latin (antalopus) ultimately from Greek 'anthólops' (ἀνθόλοψ); English then combined 'antelope' + '-ine' in modern usage to form 'antelopine'.

Initially coined to mean 'of or relating to an antelope' or 'resembling an antelope', the word has retained that basic sense, often emphasizing slenderness or grace.