'apteral' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'apteros', where 'a-' meant 'without' and 'pteron' meant 'wing'. The modern English adjective was formed by combining the root with the adjectival suffix '-al' (via New/Neo-Latin scientific formation).

'apteros' (Greek) was Latinized in scientific/Neo-Latin usage (e.g. 'apterus'/'aptera'), and through modern scientific English formations the adjective became 'apteral'.

Initially it meant 'without wings' in Greek scientific descriptions; over time it retained that core meaning and is used in modern English primarily in zoological and entomological contexts to mean 'wingless'.