'non-color-reactive' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non', meaning 'not'), combined with 'color' (from Latin 'color', meaning 'hue') and 'reactive' (from Latin components 're-' meaning 'again' and 'agere' meaning 'to do/drive', via French/Modern Latin forms).

'color' entered English via Old French 'colour' from Latin 'color'; 'reactive' derives from Latin roots (re- + agere) through Late Latin/Modern Latin and French (e.g. réagir → reactive) into English. The full compound 'non-color-reactive' is a modern English formation created by joining these existing morphemes to express the negative property.

The components originally referred to 'not' (non-), 'hue' (color), and 'acting again/responding' (reactive). As a compound, it has always been used in technical contexts to mean 'not responsive in color' and has retained that specialized sense.