annalist
|an-na-list|
/ˈænəlɪst/
year-by-year recorder
Etymology
'annalist' originates from French, specifically the word 'annaliste', where the root 'annal-' ultimately comes from Latin 'annalis' (from 'annus') meaning 'year'.
'annalist' changed from Latin 'annales' (yearly records) into Old/Middle French forms such as 'annales' and 'annaliste', and was adopted into English as 'annalist' to denote a writer of annals.
Initially related to 'yearly' or 'year-books' (records of years), the term evolved to refer specifically to a person who compiles or writes those yearly records (a chronicler).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who compiles or writes annals — chronological records of events, often arranged year by year; a chronicler.
The annalist recorded the kingdom's events year by year for future historians.
Synonyms
Noun 2
an author of concise chronological accounts (often brief yearly entries) rather than extended narrative history.
Medieval annalists often noted only the most significant events of each year.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/15 00:36