The Spanish word 'ápice' comes from the Latin word 'apex' (through its genitive form 'apicis'), which meant 'tip, summit, or peak'. The word maintained essentially the same meaning as it evolved from Latin into Spanish, referring to the highest point or tip of something.

The word 'ápice' is relatively unique in Spanish and doesn't have many common related words in everyday Spanish vocabulary. However, you might encounter it in phrases like 'ni un ápice' meaning 'not one bit' or 'not in the slightest', where it emphasizes the smallest possible amount or degree of something.

English speakers might recognize the connection to the word 'apex', which comes from the same Latin root and has the same meaning of 'highest point' or 'peak'. This connection is easy to remember since both words look and sound similar, and their meanings are virtually identical. The English word 'apical', meaning 'relating to or denoting an apex', is another related term that might be familiar to biology students.