'apnoea' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apnoia', where 'a-' meant 'without' and 'pnoē' meant 'breath'.

'apnoea' entered English via New Latin (or Modern Latin) from Greek 'apnoia' and became the modern English term 'apnoea'.

Initially, it meant 'absence of breathing,' and over time it has retained this basic meaning in modern usage.