memory

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an electronic memory device

   a memory and the CPU form the central part of a computer to which peripherals are attached

2. 2
   noun

   the power of retaining and recalling past experience

   They had a good memory when they were younger.

3. 3
   noun

   the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered

   I can do it from memory.

4. 4
   noun

   something that is remembered

   Search as they would, the memory was lost.

5. 5
   noun

   the area of cognitive psychology that studies memory processes

   They taught a graduate course on learning and memory.

6. 6
   noun

   The ability of the brain to record information or impressions with the facility of recalling them later, usually at will.

   Memory is a facility common to all animals.

7. 7
   noun

   A record of a thing or an event stored and available for later use by the organism.

   I have no memory of that event.

8. 8
   noun

   The part of a computer that stores variable executable code or data (RAM) or unalterable executable code or default data (ROM).

   This data passes from the CPU to the memory.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman memorie, Old French memoire etc., from Latin memoria (“the faculty of remembering, remembrance, memory, a historical account”), from memor (“mindful, remembering”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)mer- (to remember), related to Ancient Greek μνήμη (mnḗmē, “memory”) μέρμερος (mérmeros, “anxious”), μέριμνα (mérimna, “care, thought”), Old English ġemimor (“mindful, remembering”). More at mimmer. Doublet of memoir and memoria. Displaced native Old English ġemynd, which took on a different meaning as modern mind.