reminiscence

[ rem-uh-nis-uhns ]

noun

1. the act or process of recalling past experiences, events, etc.

   Synonyms: recollection

2. a mental impression retained and revived.

   Synonyms: memory

3. Often reminiscences. a recollection narrated or told:

   reminiscences of an American soldier.

   Synonyms: memoir, tale, anecdote

4. something that recalls or suggests something else.

   Synonyms: reminder

5. (in Platonic philosophy) anamnesis ( def 2 ).

reminiscence

/ ˌrɛmɪˈnɪsəns /

noun

1. the act of recalling or narrating past experiences
2. often plural some past experience, event, etc, that is recalled or narrated; anecdote
3. an event, phenomenon, or experience that reminds one of something else
4. (in the philosophy of Plato) the doctrine that perception and recognition of particulars is possible because the mind has seen the universal forms of all things in a previous disembodied existence
5. psychol the ability to perform a task better when tested some time after the task has been learnt than when tested immediately after learning it

Word History and Origins

Origin of reminiscence¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French, from Late Latin reminiscentia, from reminiscent-, stem of reminiscēns “remembering” ( reminiscent ) + -ia -y ³( def )

Related Words

• anecdote
• recollection
• remembrance