anamnesis

[ an-am-nee-sis ]

noun

, plural an·am·ne·ses [an-am-, nee, -seez].

1. the recollection or remembrance of the past; reminiscence.
2. Platonism. recollection of the Ideas, which the soul had known in a previous existence, especially by means of reasoning.
3. the medical history of a patient.
4. Immunology. a prompt immune response to a previously encountered antigen, characterized by more rapid onset and greater effectiveness of antibody and T cell reaction than during the first encounter, as after a booster shot in a previously immunized person.
5. Often Anamnesis. a prayer in a Eucharistic service, recalling the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ.

anamnesis

/ ˌænæmˈniːsɪs /

noun

1. the ability to recall past events; recollection
2. the case history of a patient

Other Words From

• an·am·nes·tic [an-am-, nes, -tik], adjective
• anam·nesti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of anamnesis¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin, from Greek anámnēsis “remembrance,” equivalent to ana(mi)mnḗ(skein) “to remember” ( ana ana- + mimnḗskein “to call to mind”) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of anamnesis¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek, from anamimnēskein to recall, from mimnēskein to call to mind

Example Sentences

A more thorough anamnesis showed the existence of an extreme prudishness.

From Project Gutenberg

Recollection (anamnesis) alone would prove pre-existence, but not existence after death.

From Project Gutenberg

With the exception of negativism, which appears only in the anamnesis, all the cardinal stupor symptoms are found in this history.

From Project Gutenberg

An aunt who gave the anamnesis had known the patient only since she came to the United States, a year before admission.

From Project Gutenberg

The anamnesis states that she was slow, complained of not being able to think and feeling as if she had no brain.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consciousness
• mind
• recollection
• remembrance
• thought