'cyanide-free' originates from the combination of 'cyanide,' a chemical compound containing the cyano group, and 'free,' meaning without or lacking.

'cyanide' comes from the Greek word 'kyanos,' meaning dark blue, due to the blue pigment Prussian blue, which contains cyanide. 'Free' has Old English origins from 'freo,' meaning not in bondage.

Initially, 'cyanide' referred to the chemical compound, and 'free' meant without. Together, they evolved to mean 'without cyanide.'