Based on personal accounts or isolated examples rather than systematic study or statistical evidence. Often used to describe evidence that is unreliable for drawing general conclusions.
From Greek 'anekdota,' meaning 'things unpublished,' originally referring to secret or private stories. The word entered English through French in the 18th century, initially meaning simply 'relating to anecdotes' but acquiring its current sense of 'unsystematic' in academic contexts.
Try Another Word