'hemolysis-inhibiting' is a compound formed from 'hemolysis' and 'inhibiting'. 'hemolysis' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'haima' (Greek) meaning 'blood' and 'lysis' meaning 'a loosening' or 'dissolution'; 'inhibiting' comes from Latin, specifically the verb 'inhibēre', where 'in-' meant 'in/on' (or used as a prefix meaning 'not' in some derivatives) and 'hibēre' (from habēre in sense of 'hold' or 'restrain').

'hemolysis' came into English via medieval/modern Latin 'haemolysis' (from Greek 'haima' + 'lysis') and developed into the Modern English 'hemolysis' (also spelled 'haemolysis' in British usage). 'inhibiting' evolved from Latin 'inhibēre' -> Late Latin/Old French forms -> Middle English 'inhibiten'/'inhibit', producing the present participle 'inhibiting' in Modern English. The compound form 'hemolysis-inhibiting' is a modern technical creation combining these elements.

Originally the constituent parts referred to 'blood' and 'dissolution' (hemolysis) and 'to hold back' or 'restrain' (inhibit); together in modern technical use the compound now specifically denotes 'acting to prevent the breakdown of red blood cells'.