'gymnospermy' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Gymnosperma', where Greek 'gumnos' meant 'naked' and 'sperma' meant 'seed'.

'gymnospermy' developed from New/Modern Latin botanical usage ('Gymnosperma'/'gymnosperm-') and was adopted into English usage in the 19th century to denote the condition of having naked seeds.

Initially used in Latin-based botanical terminology to denote 'naked seed' plants, it evolved into the English noun meaning 'the condition of having naked seeds' and is now a technical botanical term.