'anagnorisis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anagnōrisis', where 'ana-' meant 'again' and 'gnōrisis' meant 'recognition'.

'anagnōrisis' was adopted into Latin as 'anagnorisis', and eventually became the modern English word 'anagnorisis'.

Initially, it meant 'recognition or discovery', especially in a dramatic context, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.