Etymology, English, Anecdote

Etymology

Late 17^th c., from French anecdote, from Ancient Greek ἀνέκδοτος (anékdotos, “accounts unpublished”), from ἀν- (an-, “not, un-”) + ἔκδοτος (ékdotos, “published”), from ἐκδίδωμι (ekdídōmi, “I publish”), from ἐκ- (ek-, “out”) + δίδωμι (dídōmi, “I give”).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.

Alternative forms

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

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈæ.nɪk.doʊt/

Noun

anecdote (plural anecdotes)

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

Verb

anecdote (third-person singular simple present anecdotes, present participle anecdoting, simple past and past participle anecdoted)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To tell anecdotes (about).