Etymology Map
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Memory

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the faculty of remembering

Where does the word "memory" come from? It comes from Latin memoria, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
memoria
Latin · ancient
"memory"
from 'memor', mindful
2
Stage 2 of 3
memorie
Old French · medieval
"memory"
used of commemoration of the dead
3
Stage 3 of 3
memory
English · 1200s
"remembrance"
computer 'memory' dates from the 1940s
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Read the full story

Memory’s story begins in Latin: memoria meant “memory.” From 'memor', mindful. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as memorie. Used of commemoration of the dead. It reached English by 1200s as memory. Computer 'memory' dates from the 1940s. Today, memory means the faculty of remembering.