'aretaics' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aretē', where 'aretē' meant 'excellence, virtue'.

'aretaics' developed via Late/Neo-Latin and English scholarly usage from Greek 'aretē' through adjectival forms such as 'aretaic' and eventually into the English noun 'aretaics' for the study of virtue.

Initially, it referred to the quality of 'virtue' or 'excellence' (aretē); over time the term evolved into its modern use denoting the study or doctrine of virtues (virtue ethics).