'verticality' originates from English, formed by combining the adjective 'vertical' with the noun-forming suffix '-ity'. The adjective 'vertical' ultimately comes from Latin 'verticalis' (from 'vertex'), where 'vertex' meant 'highest point' or 'summit', and the suffix '-ity' comes from Latin '-itas' meaning 'state or condition'.

'verticality' developed by adding the suffix '-ity' to Middle/Modern English 'vertical'. 'Vertical' was borrowed into English via Old French/Medieval Latin from Latin 'verticalis', which in turn derived from Latin 'vertex' (and related roots meaning a turning point or summit). Over time the combined form in English produced the abstract noun 'verticality'.

Initially related to being toward a summit or turned upward (from senses of 'vertex' and 'verticalis'), the meaning evolved to denote the abstract 'state or quality of being vertical' and, by extension, an emphasis on vertical orientation in design and form.