Annalist Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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annalist

[หˆรฆnษ™lษชst ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

historical records

A person whose work is compiling, writing, and editing historical records.

Synonyms

archivist, chronicler, historian.

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Word Description / Examples
annalist

Used specifically to refer to someone who writes annals, chronological accounts of events year by year.

  • The annalist diligently recorded the events of each year in the kingdom's history
historian

Refers to someone who studies and writes about history, often analyzing and interpreting past events.

  • The historian published a new book that offered fresh insights into the causes of the civil war
chronicler

Describes someone who writes detailed accounts of historical events, often with a focus on storytelling rather than strict accuracy.

  • The medieval chronicler vividly described the battles and daily life of the time
archivist

Refers to a professional responsible for the preservation and management of archives, which contain important historical documents and records.

  • The archivist spent hours organizing the old government documents in the vault

Examples of usage

  • The annalist meticulously recorded every detail of the event.
  • She is known as the annalist of the family history.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

History

  • Annals have been used since ancient times, with Roman historian Tacitus known for his work recording the history of the Roman Empire.
  • Many cultures, including the Chinese and the Greeks, maintained annalistic records, highlighting the importance of history in their societies.

Literature

  • Annals are a significant genre in historical literature, providing chronological narratives that help us understand the past.
  • Famous works, like the 'Annals of Rome' by Tacitus, reflect literary techniques that combine storytelling with historical accuracy.

Science

  • In scientific research, annalistic methods help keep track of annual findings, advancements, and changes over time in various fields.
  • Records of climate change, biodiversity, and ecological studies often utilize annalistic approaches to analyze long-term trends.

Cultural Significance

  • Many communities have traditions of keeping annals, which preserve cultural heritage and collective memory across generations.
  • Annals often play a role in political history, documenting the successes and failures of governments and leaders to inform future generations.

Origin of 'annalist'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'annalist' comes from 'annals,' which means records of events year by year in Latin, reflecting its roots in old records.
  • The suffix '-ist' indicates a person who specializes in or practices something, so an annalist is someone who focuses on annual records.

The word 'annalist' originated from the Latin word 'annales', which means 'chronicles' or 'yearly records'. Annalists played a crucial role in preserving historical events and documenting important information throughout history. They often worked in libraries, archives, or universities, dedicating their lives to the meticulous recording of past events for future generations to study and learn from.


Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,522 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.