Anecdote

Pronunciation

Alternative forms

• anecdota only attested in the plural (anecdotae), probably non-standard
• anecdoton Grecian
• anecdotum rare, Latinate

Origin

Late 17th century, from French anecdote, from Ancient Greek ἀνέκδοτος (anekdotos, "accounts unpublished"), from ἀν- (an-, "not, un-") + ἔκδοτος (ekdotos, "published"), from ἐκδίδωμι (ekdidōmi, "I publish"), from ἐκ- (ek, "out") + δίδωμι (didōmi, "I give").

Virtually identical cognates in other European languages – French anecdote, German Anekdote, Spanish anécdota, among others.

Full definition of anecdote

Noun

1. A short account of a real incident or person, often humorous or interesting.
2. An account which supports an argument, but which is not supported by scientific or statistical analysis.
3. A previously untold secret account of an incident.

Derived terms

• anecdotage
• anecdotal
• anecdotalism
• anecdotally
• anecdotard
• anecdotarian
• anecdoter
• anecdotic
• anecdotical
• anecdotish rare
• anecdotist
• anecdotive rare
• anecdotographer