'counter-hypnotic' originates from 'English', specifically the compound of the prefix 'counter-' and the adjective 'hypnotic', where 'counter-' comes (via Old French 'contre') ultimately from Latin 'contra' meaning 'against', and 'hypnotic' derives from Greek 'hypnos' meaning 'sleep'.

'counter-' developed in English from Old French 'contre' and Latin 'contra', while 'hypnotic' comes from Greek 'hypnotikos' (via Latin/Medieval French). The modern compound 'counter-hypnotic' arose in English medical and psychological usage as a descriptive compound formed by combining these elements.

Initially, the components meant 'against' ('counter-') and 'pertaining to sleep' ('hypnotic'); over time they combined to denote something that opposes or neutralizes hypnosis or hypnotic effects rather than referring simply to sleep.