aide-mémoire

American  

[eyd-mem-wahr, ed-mey-mwar] / ˈeɪd mɛmˈwɑr, ɛd meɪˈmwar /

noun

plural

aide-mémoire

1. a memorandum summarizing a discussion, agreement, or action.

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aide-mémoire British  

/ ˈeɪd mɛmˈwɑː, ɛdmemwar /

noun

1. a note serving as a reminder

2. a summarized diplomatic communication

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Etymology

Origin of aide-mémoire

1840–50; < French: literally, (that which) aids (the) memory

Explanation

In political science and international relations, an aide-memoire is an unofficial written summary of some agreement, proposal, or action. One country may send an aide-memoire to another during peacemaking negotiations. Because it's an aide-memoire and not an official document, neither country is expected to be held to any agreements listed in it — it's more of an informal proposal. Groups like the World Trade Organization and the United Nations often use aide-memoirs in their interactions. Aide-memoire comes from the French words aider, "to help," and mémoire, "memory."