Annals, n. pl.
Etymology: [L. annalis (sc. liber), and more frequently in the pl. annales (sc. libri), chronicles, fr. annus year. Cf. Annual.]
1. A relation of events in chronological order, each event being recorded under the year in which it happened. "Annals the revolution." Macaulay. "The annals of our religion." Rogers.
2. Historical records; chronicles; history. The short and simple annals of the poor. Gray. It was one of the most critical periods in our annals. Burke.
3. sing.
The record of a single event or item. "In deathless annal." Young.
2 more senses
4. A periodic publication, containing records of discoveries, transactions of societies, etc.; as "Annals of Science."
Syn. -- History. See History.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for annals; he lists it under history.
Where he writes about it:
Annals and chronicles relate events with little regard to their relative importance, and with complete subserviency to their succession in time. — from history
Annals are yearly records; chronicles follow the order of time. — from history
Archives are public records, which may be annals, or chronicles, or deeds of property, etc. — from history
Annals, archives, chronicles, biographies, and memoirs and other records furnish the materials of history. — from history