'antisialic' originates from Modern English, specifically formed by combining the prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'against') with 'sialic' (relating to sialic acid or saliva-derived acids).

'sialic' comes from New Latin 'sialic' ultimately from Greek 'sialon' meaning 'saliva'; 'antisialic' was created in modern scientific English by prefixing 'anti-' to 'sialic' to denote opposition to or inhibition of sialic acids.

Initially, elements of the word ('sialic') related broadly to 'saliva' or saliva-derived acids; over time the compound 'antisialic' has come to mean specifically 'opposing or inhibiting sialic acids or sialylation' in biochemical contexts.