Etymology Map
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Memento

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an object kept as a reminder

Where does the word "memento" come from? It comes from Latin memento, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
memento
Latin · ancient
"remember!"
imperative of 'meminisse', to remember
2
Stage 2 of 2
memento
English · 1400s
"reminder"
'memento mori', remember you must die
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Read the full story

Memento’s story begins in Latin: memento meant “remember!.” Imperative of 'meminisse', to remember. It reached English by 1400s as memento. 'memento mori', remember you must die. Today, memento means an object kept as a reminder.