a. and sb. [ad. Gr. ἀναμνηστικ-ός able to recall to mind, f. ἀναμηνστ-ός vbl. adj. f. ἀναμνα-: see prec.]
A. adj. Recalling to mind; aiding the memory or recollection.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Anamnestic is applied by Blancard to remedies proper for restoring or strengthening the memory.
1879. Syd. Soc. Lex., Anamnestic Symptoms, Phenomena occurring in a previous stage … by the remembrance of which the present condition is made more manifest.
B. sb.
† 1. An anamnestic medicine or symptom.
1706. Phillips, Anamneticks, medicines that serve to restore the Memory.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Anamnestics, in medicine, are used by some writers to denote those signs which help to discover the past state of a patient’s body.
1775. Ash, Anamnestic, a medicine to help the memory.
2. A proposed equivalent for Mnemonic-s.
1836–7. Sir W. Hamilton, Metaph. (1877), I. vii. 123. Anamnestic, the art of Recollection or Reminiscence.
