anecdote
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents
English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- anecdota (only attested in the plural (anecdotae), probably non-standard)
- anecdoton (Grecian)
- anecdotum (rare, Latinate)
Etymology[edit]
Late 17th century, from French anecdote, from Ancient Greek ἀνέκδοτος (anékdotos, “accounts unpublished”), from ἀν- (an-, “not, un-”) + ἔκδοτος (ékdotos, “published”), from ἐκδίδωμι (ekdídōmi, “I publish”), from ἐκ- (ek-, “out”) + δίδωμι (dídōmi, “I give”).
Virtually identical cognates in other European languages – French anecdote, German Anekdote, Spanish anécdota, among others.
Pronunciation[edit]
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audio (US) (file)
Noun[edit]
anecdote (plural anecdotes)
- A short account of a real incident or person, often humorous or interesting.
- An account which supports an argument, but which is not supported by scientific or statistical analysis.
- A previously untold secret account of an incident.
Derived terms[edit]
- anecdotage
- anecdotal
- anecdotalism
- anecdotally
- anecdotard
- anecdotarian
- anecdoter
- anecdotic
- anecdotical
- anecdotish (rare)
- anecdotist
- anecdotive (rare)
- anecdotographer
Translations[edit]
short account of an incident
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previously untold, secret account of an incident
French[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
anecdote f (plural anecdotes)
External links[edit]
- “anecdote” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).
