'antipyrine' originates from Greek elements, specifically 'anti-' and 'pyr-', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'pyr-' meant 'fire' or 'fever'.

'antipyrine' was coined in the 19th century (German 'Antipyrin') for the compound later named phenazone; the English form developed from this continental usage into modern 'antipyrine'.

Initially, it meant 'a substance used against fever' and over time came to denote the specific chemical/medicinal compound now known as antipyrine (phenazone); its use has become largely historical as newer drugs replaced it.