reminiscence
UK[ˌrɛmɪˈnɪs(ə)ns]US[ˌrɛməˈnɪs(ə)ns]
n
the act or process of recalling past experiences, events, or people from one's own life.
n
a spoken or written account of a past experience one remembers; a recollection.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
minisc
ence
re
again
minisc
mind
ence
noun suffix
Etymology
the word "reminiscence" entered english in the late 16th century from late latin 'reminiscentia,' meaning "remembrance." this latin term is built on the verb 'reminisci' (to remember), which itself is a compound of the intensive prefix 're-' (again) and a root related to 'mens' (mind). the core concept is of the mind turning back upon itself to revisit past events. over time, the meaning evolved from the general act of remembering to specifically denote the conscious, often pleasurable, recall of personal memories, reflecting a shift towards the introspective and narrative quality of memory.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + minisc (mind) + ence (noun suffix)
- re: a latin prefix meaning "again" or "back."
- minisc: derived from the latin root 'minisci,' a variant of 'meminisse' (to remember), which is related to 'mens' (mind).
- ence: a noun-forming suffix of latin origin indicating a state, quality, or action.
Examples
the old photograph filled her with a warm sense of reminiscence.
his speech was less a lecture and more a charming reminiscence of his early career.
the smell of the ocean always triggers reminiscences of childhood summers.