'antidiastase' originates from Greek/New Latin elements: specifically the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti') meaning 'against' and 'diastase' (from Greek 'diastasis') where 'diastasis' meant 'separation' (used for enzymes that separate starch into sugars).

'diastase' was coined in the early 19th century (from French/New Latin form from Greek 'diastasis'), and 'antidiastase' was formed by prefixing 'anti-' to 'diastase' in scientific usage thereafter.

Initially, it meant 'a substance opposing or neutralizing diastase', but over time the term became rare/archaic and its sense is usually rendered by phrases like 'diastase inhibitor' or by more specific enzyme‑inhibitor nomenclature.