'non-silver' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non', meaning 'not') and the word 'silver' (from Old English 'seolfor').

'silver' comes from Old English 'seolfor', which developed into Middle English 'silver' and then Modern English 'silver'; the prefix 'non-' was attached to form the compound 'non-silver' in modern usage.

Initially, it meant 'not silver', and this basic meaning has remained largely unchanged.