'choripetalous' originates from New Latin (botanical coinage), specifically from the Greek elements 'choris' and 'petalon', where 'choris' meant 'separate' and 'petalon' meant 'leaf' or 'leaf-like part (petal).

'choripetalous' was formed in modern botanical New Latin by combining Greek roots 'choris' + 'petalon' (seen in constructions such as New Latin 'choripetalis') and entered English technical usage in the 19th century.

Initially it meant 'having separate petals' and this specialized botanical meaning has been retained in modern usage.