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mnemonic

[ni-mon-ik]
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adjective
  1. assisting or intended to assist the memory.
  2. pertaining to mnemonics or to memory.
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noun
  1. something intended to assist the memory, as a verse or formula.
  2. Computers. a programming code that is easy to remember, as STO for “store.”
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Origin of mnemonic

1660–70; < Greek mnēmonikós of, relating to memory, equivalent to mnēmon- (stem of mnḗmōn) mindful + -ikos -ic
Related formsmne·mon·i·cal·ly, adverb
Can be confusedmnemonic pneumonic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for mnemonic

Historical Examples

  • But what is it that can justly claim the right of a mnemonic form?

    Too Old for Dolls

    Anthony Mario Ludovici

  • Be it as it may, no one can dispute its merit as a specimen of mnemonic verse.

  • The poet Simonides is said to have been the founder of the mnemonic art.

    Curiosities of Medical Experience

    J. G. (John Gideon) Millingen

  • Like the mnemonic lists in Widsith, these lines are probably very old.

    Beowulf

    R. W. Chambers

  • Fifth, mnemonic devices of simple type are sometimes an aid.

    How to Teach

    George Drayton Strayer and Naomi Norsworthy

British Dictionary definitions for mnemonic

mnemonic

adjective
  1. aiding or meant to aid one's memory
  2. of or relating to memory or mnemonics
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noun
  1. something, such as a verse, to assist memory
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Derived Formsmnemonically, adverb

Word Origin

C18: from Greek mnēmonikos, from mnēmōn mindful, from mnasthai to remember
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mnemonic

adj.

"aiding the memory," 1753, back-formation from mnemonics, or from Greek mnemonikos "of or pertaining to memory," from mnemon (genitive mnemonos) "remembering, mindful," from memne "memory, a remembrance, record, an epitaph; memory as a mental faculty," from base of mnasthai "remember," from PIE root *men- "to think" (see mind (n.)). The noun meaning "mnemonic device" is from 1858. Related: Mnemonical (1660s).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
mnemonic in Medicine

mnemonic

(nĭ-mŏn′ĭk)
adj.
  1. Relating to, assisting, or intended to assist the memory.
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n.
  1. A device, such as a formula or rhyme, used as an aid in remembering.
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Related formsmne•mon′i•cal•ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.