memory

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

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.

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