'antisilverite' originates from English, specifically formed from the prefix 'anti-' (against) and the word 'silverite' (derived from 'silver' + suffix '-ite'), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'silver' meant 'the metal silver.'

'silverite' was coined in the late 19th century U.S. political context to denote supporters of free silver (advocates of silver coinage); 'antisilverite' developed as the opposing label and entered political discourse around the same period, especially in the 1890s.

Initially it meant 'an opponent of free silver or of silver coinage'; over time it has remained that specific, historically framed meaning and is now chiefly a historical or descriptive term.