'analects' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'analekta,' where 'ana-' meant 'up' and 'legein' meant 'to gather.'

'analekta' transformed into the Latin word 'analecta,' which was then adopted into English as 'analects.'

Initially, it meant 'things gathered up,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a collection of literary or philosophical extracts.'