'uninasal' originates from Latin, specifically the prefix 'uni-' from 'unus' meaning 'one', and 'nasal' from 'nasus' meaning 'nose'.

'uninasal' was formed in modern English by combining the Latin-derived prefix 'uni-' with the adjective 'nasal' (from Late Latin/Latin roots), producing a compound describing 'one-nosed' conditions.

Initially it meant 'having one nose/opening', and this basic descriptive meaning has been retained in technical and biological contexts.