history

[ his-tuh-ree, his-tree ]

noun

, plural his·to·ries.

1. the branch of knowledge dealing with past events.
2. a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account; chronicle:

   a history of France;

   a medical history of the patient.

   Synonyms: annals, record

3. the aggregate of past events.
4. the record of past events and times, especially in connection with the human race.
5. a past notable for its important, unusual, or interesting events:

   a ship with a history.

6. acts, ideas, or events that will or can shape the course of the future; immediate but significant happenings:

   Firsthand observers of our space program see history in the making.

7. a systematic account of any set of natural phenomena without particular reference to time:

   a history of the American eagle.

8. a drama representing historical events:

   Shakespeare's comedies, histories, and tragedies.

history

/ ˈhɪstərɪ; ˈhɪstrɪ /

noun

1. 1. a record or account, often chronological in approach, of past events, developments, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a history play

      a history book

2. all that is preserved or remembered of the past, esp in written form
3. the discipline of recording and interpreting past events involving human beings
4. past events, esp when considered as an aggregate
5. an event in the past, esp one that has been forgotten or reduced in importance

   their quarrel was just history

6. the past, background, previous experiences, etc, of a thing or person

   the house had a strange history

7. computing a stored list of the websites that a user has recently visited
8. a play that depicts or is based on historical events
9. a narrative relating the events of a character's life

   the history of Joseph Andrews

Other Words From

• under·histo·ry noun plural underhistories
• un·histo·ry noun plural unhistories

Word History and Origins

Origin of history¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English historie, from Latin historia, from Greek historía “learning or knowing by inquiry, history”; derivative of hístōr “one who knows or sees; learned”; akin to wit ², video, Veda

Word History and Origins

Origin of history¹

C15: from Latin historia, from Greek: enquiry, from historein to narrate, from histōr judge

Idioms and Phrases

see ancient history ; go down (in history) ; make history ; (history) repeats itself .

Synonym Study

See narrative.

Example Sentences

As an example of good science-and-society policymaking, the history of fluoride may be more of a cautionary tale.

From The Daily Beast

Certain features of its history suggest why this may be the case.

From The Daily Beast

The well, ghost or no ghost, is certainly a piece of history with a bold presence.

From The Daily Beast

“Lockheed Martin has a long history of misrepresenting facts,” Wheeler added.

From The Daily Beast

Although Huckabee's condescending tone - like that of an elementary school history teacher - makes it difficult to take seriously.

From The Daily Beast

The well-worn aphorism of the Frenchman, “History repeats itself,” was about to assert itself.

From Project Gutenberg

Had not this Indian plant been discovered, the whole history of some portions of America would have been far different.

From Project Gutenberg

Be Bry in his History of Brazil describes its use and also some interesting particulars concerning the plant.

From Project Gutenberg

I cannot see in science, nor in experience, nor in history any signs of such a God, nor of such intervention.

From Project Gutenberg

History gives them scant notice, and the Federal government has failed to reward them as they deserve.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• account
• annals
• biography
• record
• relation
• story
• tale