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 )

Example Sentences

“It was the perfect convergence of forces,” he said, in 2009’s moving reminiscence after Jackson’s death.

From Los Angeles Times

I did make her a hot breakfast, over which she received my bittersweet reminiscences with mildly amused good humor before returning to her room to get dressed.

From Los Angeles Times

But “Soundtrack” hits all the important points over its three hours, cogently presented and mostly a lot of fun — a mutually illuminating mix of anecdotal reminiscence, musical analysis, historical accounting and political theory.

From Los Angeles Times

Last month, a handsome new coffee-table book, “The Beach Boys by the Beach Boys,” was published with photos and detailed reminiscences from the members.

From Los Angeles Times

“On campus there were no ‘colored’ or ‘white’ signs on the drinking fountains or bathroom doors,” General Cooper wrote in a reminiscence published in Notre Dame magazine in 2014.

From New York Times

Related Words

• anecdote
• recollection
• remembrance