'antenuptial' originates from Latin elements 'ante-' and 'nuptialis'. 'Ante-' meant 'before' and 'nuptialis' related to 'nubere' meaning 'to marry' (to veil).

'Antenuptial' developed from Late Latin/Legal Latin combinations of 'ante-' + 'nuptialis', entered English via Anglo-Norman and Middle French legal usage as a formal term referring to matters occurring before marriage.

Initially it literally combined 'before' + 'marriage' to denote timing; over time it came to be used especially in legal contexts to describe agreements or arrangements made before marriage (prenups).