chronicle

Chronicle is a historical account of events arranged in the order in which they occurred. The term derives from Old French chronique, from the Latin chronica, and ultimately from Greek chronikón "of time," related to chronos "time." In practice, a chronicle records facts with minimal interpretation, emphasizing date and sequence rather than analysis.

Historically, chronicles were among the earliest forms of narrative history. They were produced by monasteries, chancelleries, and later secular historians to document events of a region, realm, or institution over extended periods. Chronicles may cover long spans with entries organized by year or by event, and sometimes include eyewitness notes, genealogies, and place-names.

In modern usage, chronicle is also used as a title or brand. Several newspapers include Chronicle in their names; for example, the San Francisco Chronicle is a major daily newspaper. The term appears in film and literature titles; for instance, Chronicle (2012) is an American science fiction film about three teenagers who gain telekinetic powers. In reference works, a chronicle may describe a concise, time-ordered account of events within a topic.

See also: annals, chronology, history. The distinction between a chronicle and related forms varies by tradition, but chronicles are typically characterized by their emphasis on temporal sequence and a documentary tone rather than argument.