'azote' originates from French, specifically the word 'azote', where the prefix 'a-' (from Greek) meant 'not' and 'zōē' meant 'life'.

'azote' was coined in French in the late 18th century (used by early chemists) and was borrowed into English as 'azote'; the term was later largely replaced in common scientific usage by 'nitrogen'.

Initially it meant 'a gas that does not support life' (i.e. nitrogen); over time the name 'nitrogen' became standard, and 'azote' became rare or archaic in English.