'antetemple' originates from Latin, specifically the words 'ante' and 'templum', where 'ante' meant 'before' and 'templum' meant 'temple'.

'antetemple' changed from Medieval Latin 'antitemplum' (a compound of 'ante' + 'templum') and eventually became the rare/archaic English word 'antetemple'.

Initially, it meant 'a space or porch before a temple', and over time it has remained largely that meaning but become archaic and rare in modern usage.