mnemonic

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a device (such as a rhyme or acronym) used to aid recall
  2. adjective of or relating to or involved the practice of aiding the memory

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin mnemonicus or its etymon Ancient Greek μνημονῐκός (mnēmonĭkós, “pertaining to memory or remembrance, memorial”) + English -ic (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives). Mνημονῐκός (Mnēmonĭkós) is derived from μνήμων (mnḗmōn, “mindful, remembering”) + -ῐκός (-ĭkós, suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives); while μνήμων (mnḗmōn) is from μνάομαι (mnáomai, “to be mindful, remember”) (from Proto-Indo-European *men- (“to mind; to think”)) + -μων (-mōn, suffix forming adjectives and agent nouns). Cognates * French mnémonique (adjective) * German mnemonisch * Italian mnemonico * Portuguese mnemónica

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