Anthology

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ænˈθɒlÉ™dʒɪ/
• US IPA: /ænˈθɑlÉ™dÊ’i/

Origin

From Ancient Greek ἀνθολογία (anthologia, "flower-gathering"), from ἀνθολογέω (anthologeō, "I gather flowers"), from ἄνθος (anthos, "flower") + λέγω (legō, "I gather, pick up, collect"), coined by Meleager of Gadara circa 60 BCE, originally as Στέφανος (στέφανος ("garland")) to describe a collection of poetry, later retitled anthology – see Greek Anthology. Anthologiai were collections of small Greek poems and epigrams, because in Greek culture the flower symbolized the finer sentiments that only poetry can express.

Full definition of anthology

Noun

1. A collection of literary works, such as poems or short stories.
2. (by extension) An assortment of things.

Derived terms

Related terms

• florilegium