paramnesia

noun

par·​am·​ne·​sia ˌper-ˌam-ˈnē-zhə How to pronounce paramnesia (audio)
-əm-,
ˌpa-ˌram-
: a disorder of memory
especially : déjà vu sense 1

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from para- + -mnesia (as in amnesia)

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paramnesia was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near paramnesia

Cite this Entry

“Paramnesia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paramnesia. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

paramnesia

noun
par·​am·​ne·​sia ˌpar-ˌam-ˈnē-zhə, -əm- How to pronounce paramnesia (audio)
: a disorder of memory: as
a
: a condition in which the proper meaning of words cannot be remembered
b
: the illusion of remembering scenes and events when experienced for the first time

called also déjà vu

compare jamais vu

More from Merriam-Webster on paramnesia

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!