'antidoron' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ἀντίδωρον', where the prefix 'ἀντί-' meant 'in place of, instead of' and 'δῶρον' meant 'gift'.

'antidoron' passed from classical/Koine Greek ('ἀντίδωρον') into ecclesiastical usage and then into English through church‑Latin/ECclesiastical contexts, becoming the modern English term 'antidoron'.

Initially formed from elements meaning 'in place of' + 'gift' (i.e., 'instead‑of gift'); it retained the specialized liturgical sense of bread given in place of communion to those not receiving the Eucharist and more generally as blessed bread distributed after the liturgy.