reminiscence
UK: ˌremɪˈnɪsns | US: ˌremɪˈnɪsns
n. the act or process of recalling past experiences, events, or memories
n. a mental impression retained and revived from the past
n. (often plural) a collection of remembered experiences or anecdotes
reminiscence = re<again> + minisc<mind> + ence<noun suffix>
- re: Latin prefix meaning "again" or "back," indicating repetition or return.
- minisc: Derived from Latin minisci (variant of meminisse, "to remember"), rooted in mens ("mind").
- ence: Noun-forming suffix from Latin -entia, denoting a state or quality.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin reminisci ("to remember again"), combining re- (repetition) and minisci (to think). It evolved through French reminiscence (16th century) to English, retaining the core idea of "revisiting the mind." The morphemes reflect a logical progression: re- (return) + mind (memory) + -ence (abstract state), forming a cohesive concept of reflective recollection.
Her speech was filled with warm reminiscences of childhood summers.
The old photo album sparked a flood of reminiscence.
He wrote a book of literary reminiscences about his famous friends.
The scent of lavender brought on a sudden reminiscence of her grandmother’s garden.
In his later years, he often indulged in quiet reminiscence.