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

Plato once wrote of anamnesis, the idea that humans have innate knowledge buried within us, and that learning is the act of unearthing it.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Project Gutenberg

Psychoanalysis has confirmed this suspicion in all cases of inversion accessible, and has decidedly changed their anamnesis by filling up the infantile amnesias.

From Project Gutenberg

Is not this the Platonic doctrine of anamnesis, Christianised in a most beautiful manner?

From Project Gutenberg

The anamnesis of the Ideas is chiefly insisted upon in the mythical portions of the dialogues, and really occupies a very small space in the entire works of Plato.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consciousness
• mind
• recollection
• remembrance
• thought