definitions

anamnesis

[ an-am-nee-sis ]
/ ˌæn æmˈni sɪs /
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noun, plural an·am·ne·ses [an-am-nee-seez] /ˌæn æmˈni siz/.

the recollection or remembrance of the past; reminiscence.
Platonism. recollection of the Ideas, which the soul had known in a previous existence, especially by means of reasoning.
the medical history of a patient.
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.
(often initial capital letter) a prayer in a Eucharistic service, recalling the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ.

RELATED WORDS

recollection, rote, reminiscence, retrospection, anamnesis, evocative, redolent, reminiscent, memoried, feuilleton

Nearby words

analyzed rhyme, analyzer, anam, anambra, anammelech, anamnesis, anamnestic, anamnestic reaction, anamniote, anamorphic, anamorphic lens

Origin of anamnesis

1650–60; < New Latin < Greek anámnēsis remembrance, equivalent to ana(mi)mnḗ(skein) to remember (ana ana- + mimnḗskein to call to mind) + -sis -sis

Related forms

an·am·nes·tic [an-am-nes-tik] /ˌæn æmˈnɛs tɪk/, adjectivean·am·nes·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for anamnestic

  • Just a few words concerning mnemotechnique, mnemonic, and anamnestic.

    Criminal Psychology|Hans Gross

British Dictionary definitions for anamnestic (1 of 2)

anamnestic

/ (ˌænæmˈnɛstɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to anamnesis
immunol denoting a response to antigenic stimulation characterized by the production of large amounts of antibody specific to a different antigen from that which elicited the response

Derived Forms

anamnestically, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for anamnestic (2 of 2)

anamnesis

/ (ˌænæmˈniːsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

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

Word Origin for anamnesis

C17: via New Latin from Greek, from anamimnēskein to recall, from mimnēskein to call to mind
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for anamnestic (1 of 2)

anamnestic

[ ăn′ăm-nĕs′tĭk ]

adj.

Of or relating to the current or previous medical history of a patient.
Aiding memory; mnemonic.

Medicine definitions for anamnestic (2 of 2)

anamnesis

[ ăn′ăm-nē′sĭs ]

n. pl. an•am•ne•ses (-sēz)

A recalling to memory; recollection.
The complete case history of a patient.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.