'apokatastatic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apokatastatikos,' where 'apo-' meant 'away/back' and 'katastasis' meant 'a setting up, establishment, restoration'.

'apokatastatic' changed from Greek 'apokatastatikos' into Late/Medieval Latin 'apokatastaticus' and entered theological English usage as 'apokatastatic' (through Latin theological writings).

Initially, it meant 'restoring to a former or original state' (especially in theological contexts indicating universal restoration), and this core meaning has been retained though it is occasionally used in broader, non-theological senses as 'restorative' or 'restitutive'.