What does "anamnesis" mean?
The ability to recall past events; recollection.
Anamnesis
/ˌænæmˈniːsɪs/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The ability to recall past events; recollection.
- Grammar: anamnesis is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: agnus dei, alleluia, canon, case history.
- Usage evidence: 1898, Francis H. Stuart (translator), Oswald Vierordt, A Clinical Text-book of Medical Diagnosis for Physicians and Students, 4th Edition, [1897, O. Vierordt, Diagnostik der Innerer Krankheiten, 5th Edition], W. B. Saunders, page 19, But it is always well for the beginner to secure as complete an anamnesis, or prior history, as possible, in order that he may allow nothing of importance to escape his attention. The anamnesis generally begins with and involves the question as to whether the disease is acute or chronic, what organs are affected or inclined to be diseased.
How to use "anamnesis"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "anamnesis" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "anamnesis" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "anamnesis" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The ability to recall past events; recollection. countable, uncountable
- 2 the ability to recall past occurrences wordnet
- 3 The remembrance and celebration of God’s works by the liturgy of the church. countable, uncountable
- 4 the case history of a medical patient as recalled by the patient wordnet
- 5 A patient's account of their medical history. countable, uncountable
"1898, Francis H. Stuart (translator), Oswald Vierordt, A Clinical Text-book of Medical Diagnosis for Physicians and Students, 4th Edition, [1897, O. Vierordt, Diagnostik der Innerer Krankheiten, 5th Edition], W. B. Saunders, page 19, But it is always well for the beginner to secure as complete an anamnesis, or prior history, as possible, in order that he may allow nothing of importance to escape his attention. The anamnesis generally begins with and involves the question as to whether the disease is acute or chronic, what organs are affected or inclined to be diseased."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 The recollection of innate knowledge acquired before birth, according to Plato’s theory of epistemology. countable, uncountable
"1990, Stewart Umphrey, Zetetic Skepticism, Longwood Academic, page 13, There are also reasons for thinking that Socratic anamnesis, inquiry and learning are quite unlike anamnesis, inquiry and learning as ordinarily understood."
- 7 The mention of the past; quotation of exemplary authors from memory to establish one’s authority. countable, rhetoric, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"1898, Francis H. Stuart (translator), Oswald Vierordt, A Clinical Text-book of Medical Diagnosis for Physicians and Students, 4th Edition, [1897, O. Vierordt, Diagnostik der Innerer Krankheiten, 5th Edition], W. B. Saunders, page 19, But it is always well for the beginner to secure as complete an anamnesis, or prior history, as possible, in order that he may allow nothing of importance to escape his attention. The anamnesis generally begins with and involves the question as to whether the disease is acute or chronic, what organs are affected or inclined to be diseased."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "anamnesis"?
Common synonyms include: agnus dei, alleluia, canon, case history, communion, complete medical history.
How do you use "anamnesis" in a sentence?
1898, Francis H. Stuart (translator), Oswald Vierordt, A Clinical Text-book of Medical Diagnosis for Physicians and Students, 4th Edition, [1897, O. Vierordt, Diagnostik der Innerer Krankheiten, 5th Edition], W. B. Saunders, page 19, But it is always well for the beginner to secure as complete an anamnesis, or prior history, as possible, in order that he may allow nothing of importance to escape his attention. The anamnesis generally begins with and involves the question as to whether the disease is acute or chronic, what organs are affected or inclined to be diseased.
How do you pronounce "anamnesis"?
Pronounced /ˌænæmˈniːsɪs/.
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek ἀνάμνησις (anámnēsis, “remembrance”), verbal noun of ἀναμιμνήσκω (anamimnḗskō), from ἀνα- (ana-) + μιμνῄσκω (mimnēískō, “call to mind”).