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Where does the word "commemorate" come from? It comes from Latin commemorare, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).
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Where does the word "commemorate" come from? It comes from Latin commemorare, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).
Commemorate’s story begins in Latin: commemorare meant “to call to mind.” 'com-' plus 'memorare', to remember. It reached English by 1590s as commemorate. Commemorative stamps date from the 1800s. Today, commemorate means to recall and honour in a ceremony.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient commemorare "to call to mind", 'com-' plus 'memorare', to remember.
- Stage 2 · English · 1590s commemorate "to remember publicly", commemorative stamps date from the 1800s.