cryptomnesia

[ krip-toh-mnee-zhuh ]

noun

1. the phenomenon of not recognizing the return of an old memory as a product of memory, but instead regarding it as a new or original thought or idea:

   Cryptomnesia has misled some writers to embark on new works which are actually unconscious plagiarism or even self-plagiarism.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cryptomnesia¹

First recorded in 1900–05; crypto- ( def ) + Greek mnêsis “memory” + -ia ( def ); amnesia ( def ).

Example Sentences

This is an instance which shows all the peculiarities of cryptomnesia.

From Project Gutenberg

In so far cryptomnesia is quite an everyday occurrence, concerned with the deepest normal psychic events.

From Project Gutenberg

We have, however, a criterion by which we can always recognise objectively intra-psychic cryptomnesia.

From Project Gutenberg

These are cases of so-called cryptomnesia, which are too unimportant to deserve more extended notice.

From Project Gutenberg