'anagnost' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'anagnostes,' which came from Ancient Greek 'anagnōstēs,' where 'ana-' meant 'up' or 'again' and 'gignōskein' meant 'to know' or 'to read.'

'anagnostes' in Greek became 'anagnostes' in Late Latin, and eventually entered English as 'anagnost.'

Initially, it meant 'reader' in the sense of someone who reads aloud, especially in a church, and this meaning has remained largely unchanged.