'retrocurvature' originates from Latin elements: 'retro' (from Latin 'retro'), meaning 'backward', and 'curvatura' (from Latin 'curvare'/'curvatura'), meaning 'a bending'.

'retro' has been used as a Latin adverb and later as a prefix in New Latin/modern English; 'curvature' comes from Latin 'curvatura' via Old French 'curvature' and Middle English, combining to form the compound 'retrocurvature' in technical usage.

Initially, the components meant 'backward' and 'a bending' respectively; combined, they have retained the meaning of 'a bending directed backward' in modern technical contexts.