'anther-like' originates from English, formed from 'anther' (ultimately from Greek 'anthera') and the Old English element '-lic'/'-like', where 'anthera' meant 'flower/anther' and '-lic'/'-like' meant 'having the form of'.

'anther' came into English via New Latin from Greek 'anthera', while the suffix '-like' developed from Old English 'lic'; in modern English these elements combined as the compound adjective 'anther-like'.

Initially 'anther' referred to the flower's anther and '-like' indicated resemblance; together they have the current meaning 'resembling an anther'.