'antiminsion' originates from Medieval Greek, specifically the word 'antimínion' (ἀντιμήνιον), where 'anti-' meant 'instead of' and the formation was influenced by Latin 'mensa' meaning 'table'.

'antiminsion' changed from Medieval Greek into Church Slavonic (e.g. 'антиминс') and Medieval Latin forms (e.g. 'antiminsium'), and eventually became the modern English word 'antiminsion'.

Initially, it meant 'instead of the table', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a consecrated cloth serving as a substitute altar (often containing relics)'.