n. (pl. -ies) 1 a continuous, usu. chronological, record of important or public events. 2 a the study of past events, esp. human affairs. b the total accumulation of past events, esp. relating to human affairs or to the accumulation of developments connected with a particular nation, person, thing, etc. (our island history; the history of astronomy). 3 an eventful past (this house has a history). 4 a a systematic or critical account of or research into a past event or events etc. b a similar record or account of natural phenomena. 5 a historical play. make history 1 influence the course of history. 2 do something memorable.
[ ME f. L historia f. Gk historia finding out, narrative, history f. histor learned, wise man, rel. to WIT(2) ]