Etymology Map
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Memoir

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a written account of one's own life and experiences

Where does the word "memoir" come from? It comes from Latin memoria, passing through French before entering English (1560s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
memoria
Latin · ancient
"memory"
memory, from 'memor', mindful
2
Stage 2 of 3
mémoire
French · medieval
"memory, record"
memory; also a written record or report
3
Stage 3 of 3
memoir
English · 1560s
"written record"
'memoirs', a personal life story, dates from the 1670s
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Read the full story

Memoir’s story begins in Latin: memoria meant “memory.” Memory, from 'memor', mindful. By medieval, the word had taken hold in French as mémoire. Memory; also a written record or report. It reached English by 1560s as memoir. 'memoirs', a personal life story, dates from the 1670s. Today, memoir means a written account of one's own life and experiences.