1733, from Latin annotatus, past participle of annotare, adnotare "observe, remark, note down," from ad "to" (see ad-) + notare "to mark, note, make a note," from nota "mark, sign, means of recognition" (see note (n.)). Related: Annotated; annotating. Not in Johnson's dictionary as a head-word, but used in it in the definition of comment. Form annote is recorded from mid-15c. Related: Annotated; annotating.