'anthrop-' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'ánthrōpos', where 'ánthrōpos' meant 'human' or 'man'.

'anthrop-' entered English via Latin and Medieval Latin forms and through borrowings into scientific and learned vocabulary (for example, the Modern English word 'anthropology' derived from French 'anthropologie' and Latinized Greek components), eventually established as the combining form 'anthrop-' in modern English.

Initially it meant 'human' or 'man' in Ancient Greek, and it has retained that core meaning while becoming a productive combining form in English to denote human-related concepts.