'antichresis' originates from Late Latin and Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'antichresis', which in turn comes from Late Greek 'antikhresis' (ἀντιχρεία), where the prefix 'anti-' meant 'against' or 'in return for' and 'khrēsis/khrēa' (χρεία/χρῆσις) meant 'use' or 'service'.

'antichresis' entered English from Medieval/Legal Latin (and via French legal usage), tracing back to Late Greek 'antikhresis' and ultimately to Classical Greek roots; through Latin legal terminology it became the modern English legal noun 'antichresis'.

Initially, it meant primarily the 'use' or 'use-as-security' arrangement in Greek and Roman legal contexts; over time it has come to denote the specific legal institution of granting possession and fruits of property to a creditor as security for a debt.