1. the recalling of previous experiences, especially those of a pleasant nature. Events that occurred in adolescence and early adulthood (often called the reminiscence bump) are most often remembered. Unlike recollection, reminiscence does not necessarily involve vivid and detailed memory. See also autobiographical memory; episodic memory; life review.

2. in a test, the retrieval of an individual piece of information (e.g., word, picture) that was not retrieved on a previous test. Reminiscence often occurs when information is repeatedly tested in close succession. The longer the delay between tests, however, the more likely a given piece of information will be forgotten. See hypermnesia.