anecdote

English

/ˈæ.nɪk.doʊt/

noun
Definitions
  • 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.

Etymology

Borrowed from French anecdote derived from Ancient Greek ἀνέκδοτος (accounts unpublished).

Origin

Ancient Greek

ἀνέκδοτος

Gloss

accounts unpublished

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms