hypermnesia

noun

hy·perm·ne·sia | \ ˌhī-(ˌ)pərm-ˈnē-zh(ē-)ə

\

Definition of hypermnesia

: abnormally vivid or complete memory or recall of the past

Other Words from hypermnesia Can You Remember the History of hypermnesia? Learn More about hypermnesia

Keep scrolling for more

Can You Remember the History of hypermnesia?

Perhaps the most famous individual to exhibit hypermnesia was a Russian man known as "S," whose amazing photographic memory was studied for 30 years by a psychologist in the early part of the 20th century. "Hypermnesia" sometimes refers to cases like that of "S," but it can also refer to specific instances of heightened memory (such as those brought on by trauma or hypnosis) experienced by people whose memory abilities are unremarkable under ordinary circumstances. The word hypermnesia, which has been with us since at least 1882, was created in New Latin as the combination of "hyper-" (meaning "beyond" or "super") and "-mnesia" (patterned after "amnesia"). It ultimately derives from the Greek word mnasthai, meaning "to remember."

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about hypermnesia

Listen to Our Podcast about hypermnesia

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries near hypermnesia

Statistics for hypermnesia

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for hypermnesia

The first known use of hypermnesia was in 1882

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for hypermnesia

hypermnesia

noun

hy·perm·ne·sia | \ ˌhī-(ˌ)pərm-ˈnē-zh(ē-)ə

\

Medical Definition of hypermnesia

: abnormally vivid or complete memory or recall of the past (as at times of extreme danger)

Comments on hypermnesia

What made you want to look up hypermnesia? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

farouche

marked by shyness and lack of polish

Test Your Vocabulary

Liar, Liar Quiz

Someone who pretends to be sick in order to avoid work is a:

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games