'non-nuclear' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'nuclear' from Latin 'nucleus', meaning 'kernel' or 'core'.

'Nuclear' evolved from the Latin 'nucleus', through French 'nucléaire', and eventually became the modern English word 'nuclear'. The prefix 'non-' was added to form 'non-nuclear'.

Initially, 'nuclear' referred to the core or central part of something, but over time it evolved to refer to atomic energy or weapons. 'Non-nuclear' specifically denotes the absence of these.