Definition: The word "anecdotal" comes from Greek and means "by experience," as in a story or observation that can be found in books, newspapers, or other materials. It's often used to describe a source that provides information through stories or experiences rather than facts or data. The term emphasizes the importance of personal anecdotes over statistical evidence. For example, someone might tell you about an experience they had with a book they read about ancient civilizations, without actually reading the book itself. This is how an anecdote becomes part of our knowledge and can be valuable for understanding historical events or beliefs.