memorial

plural memorials

1. obsoleteMemory; recollection.First known use 14th–18th c.
2. Something, such as a monument, by which someone or something is remembered.First known use 14th c.

   2 more examples

   These mementoes or memorials [sculptural national monuments], though in the present age the unphilosophical and sciolistic spirit of some have led them to regard with contempt this method of honouring the illustrious great, excite a laudable admiration for the service or benefit to which they testify, and are living realities to perpetuate at once the respect entertained by the nation, both for the individual himself and the performance that has entitled him to their gratitude.

   1870, Walter Arthur Copinger, “Copyright in Sculpture and Busts”, in The Law of Copyright, in Works of Literature and Art: Including that of the Drama, Music, Engraving, Sculpture, Painting, Photography and Ornamental and Useful Designs; together with International and Foreign Copyright, with the Statutes Relating thereto, and References to the English and American Decisions, London: Stevens and Haynes, →OCLC, page 181

   Although the country branch lines may pass, they leave with those who have known them so well an ineffaceable memory[,] and for those who will follow after[,] a memorial in the form of embankment, cutting and tunnel with here and there a station building or railway cottage that time does not destroy.

   1953 November, H. M. Madgwick, “A Last Journey on the Chichester-Midhurst Line”, in Railway Magazine, page 775

3. A chronicle or memoir.First known use 14th c.
4. archaicA note or memorandum.First known use 14th c.
5. ChristianityA service of remembrance or commemoration.First known use 15th c.
6. lawA statement of facts set out in the form of a petition to a person in authority, a court or tribunal, a government, etc.First known use 17th c.

   Captain Surman […] immediately addressed a memorial to the governor, stating that an act of Providence had sent him into port for the preservation of the lives of those on board; he therefore trusted he should be allowed to refit and depart.

   1808–10, William Hickey, Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, Folio Society 1995, page 178

comparative more memorial · superlative most memorial

1. Serving as a remembrance of someone or something; commemorative.

   a memorial building

   1 more example

   There high in air, memorial of my name, / Fix the smooth oar, and bid me live to fame.

   1725, Homer, “Book XI”, in [William Broome], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], volume III, London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC

2. Contained in the memory.

   a memorial possession

3. archaicMnemonic; assisting the memory.

   This succession of Aspirate, Soft, and Hard, may be expressed by the memorial word ASH.

   1887, Walter William Skeat, Principles of English Etymology