'anti-cytolysin' originates from Modern English, formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') and 'cytolysin' (from New Latin 'cytolysin'), where 'cyto-' (from Greek 'kytos') meant 'cell' and '-lysis' meant 'loosening' or 'destruction'.

'cytolysin' developed in New Latin from the Greek elements 'kytos' and 'lysis' and entered scientific English as 'cytolysin'; the compound 'anti-cytolysin' was formed in Modern English by combining the productive prefix 'anti-' with this scientific noun.

Initially, the elements referred generally to 'against' + 'cell-dissolving' agents; over time the compound came to be used specifically for 'an antibody or inhibitor that neutralizes cytolysin'.