'antiprelatical' originates from Greek and Latin: the Greek prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'ἀντί') meant 'against', combined with Latin 'praelatus' (via Old French/Medieval Latin 'prelat'/'prelate'), where Latin 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'ferre' (source of 'latus' in the past participle) related to 'to carry or prefer'.

'praelatus' (Latin, past participle of 'praeferre') yielded Old French/Medieval Latin forms like 'prelat'/'prelate', which entered Middle English as 'prelate'; the adjective-forming suffix '-ical' produced 'prelatical', and the Greek prefix 'anti-' was added to form 'antiprelatical'.

Initially the components signified 'against a prelate' or 'against the institution of prelates'; over time the composite retained this basic meaning and is used to describe opposition to prelacy or episcopal authority.