- Definition: An anthology is a collection of selected literary pieces or passages, or works of art or music, assembled into a single volume or series. Typically, these collections are organized around a particular theme, genre, or author. Anthologies are commonly used in literature to gather poems, short stories, essays, or plays.
- Etymology and Origin: “Anthology” comes from the Greek word “anthologia,” meaning “flower gathering,” from “anthos” (flower) and “legein” (to gather, to select). Originally, it referred to a collection of short, exquisite poems, likened to a bouquet of flowers. The term entered English in the early 17th century, keeping its metaphorical sense of a carefully selected assemblage.
Anthology: Definition, Origin, and Literary Significance
