'axanthopsia' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'a-' meaning 'without', 'xanthos' meaning 'yellow', and 'opsis' meaning 'sight' or 'vision'.

'axanthopsia' is a New Latin/medical coinage formed from Greek roots and entered English as a technical medical term describing a loss of perception of yellow.

Initially it meant 'absence of yellow vision' and this core meaning has been retained in modern medical usage.