'anthophyllite-free' originates from English, specifically the compound of 'anthophyllite' and 'free', where 'anthophyllite' itself derives from Greek elements 'anthos' (meaning 'flower') + 'phyllon' (meaning 'leaf') with the mineral-forming suffix '-ite', and 'free' derives from Old English 'frēo' meaning 'free'.

'anthophyllite' was coined in mineralogical nomenclature in the 19th century from Greek roots (via Latin/modern scientific naming), while 'free' evolved from Old English 'frēo' through Middle English to modern English; the compound 'anthophyllite-free' is a modern English adjectival compound formed by joining the mineral name with 'free'.

Initially 'anthophyllite' referred to the mineral itself; the compound 'anthophyllite-free' has a straightforward compositional meaning—'without anthophyllite'—and has not undergone significant semantic shift beyond that literal sense.