'appraisive' originates from English, specifically formed from the verb 'appraise' plus the adjectival suffix '-ive', where 'appraise' ultimately comes from Old French 'appraiser' (or 'aprecier'). The element from Latin is related to 'pretium' meaning 'price' or 'value'.

'appraisive' developed in modern English as an adjective derived from the verb 'appraise'. The verb 'appraise' came into English via Old French 'appraiser' (medieval French 'aprecier') from Vulgar Latin *appretiare (based on Latin 'pretium'), and the suffix '-ive' (from Latin '-ivus') was added to form the adjective 'appraisive'.

Initially, the root idea concerned the notion of 'price' or 'value' (estimating worth), and over time it evolved into the adjectival sense 'expressing or inclined to make an appraisal', which is the current meaning.