Adjacent Words

Memorandum definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

MEMORAND'UM, n. plu. memorandums or memoranda. [L.]
A note to help the memory.
I entered a memorandum in my pocketbook.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a written proposal or reminder [syn: memo, memorandum, memoranda]

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural -dums or memoranda) Etymology: Middle English, to be remembered, from Latin, neuter of memorandus, gerundive of memorare Date: 15th century 1. an informal record; also a written reminder 2. an informal written note of a transaction or proposed instrument 3. a. an informal diplomatic communication b. a usually brief communication written for interoffice circulation c. a communication that contains directive, advisory, or informative matter Usage: Although some commentators warn against the use of memoranda as a singular and condemn the plural memorandas, our evidence indicates that these forms are rarely encountered in print. We have a little evidence of the confusion of forms, including use of memorandum as a plural, in speech (as at congressional hearings). As plurals memoranda and memorandums are about equally frequent.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (pl. memoranda or memorandums) 1 a note or record made for future use. 2 an informal written message, esp. in business, diplomacy, etc. 3 Law a document recording the terms of a contract or other legal details. Etymology: ME f. L neut. sing. gerundive of memorare: see MEMORABLE

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Memorandum Mem`o*ran"dum, n.; pl. E. Memorandums, L. Memoranda. [L., something to be remembered, neut. of memorandus, fut. pass. p. of memorare. See Memorable.] 1. A record of something which it is desired to remember; a note to help the memory. I . . . entered a memorandum in my pocketbook. --Guardian. I wish you would, as opportunity offers, make memorandums of the regulations of the academies. --Sir J. Reynolds. 2. (Law) A brief or informal note in writing of some transaction, or an outline of an intended instrument; an instrument drawn up in a brief and compendious form. Memorandum check, a check given as an acknowledgment of indebtedness, but with the understanding that it will not be presented at bank unless the maker fails to take it up on the day the debt becomes due. It usually has Mem. written on its face.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(memoranda, or memorandums) 1. A memorandum is a written report that is prepared for a person or committee in order to provide them with information about a particular matter. The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Commons on the blatant violations of basic human rights. N-COUNT 2. A memorandum is a short official note that is sent by one person to another within the same company or organization. (FORMAL) = memo N-COUNT

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Note, minute.

Moby Thesaurus

adversaria, aide-memoire, annotation, announcement, chit, cue, diary, directive, dispatch, docket, entry, epistle, flapper, footnote, hint, item, jogger, jotting, letter, marginal note, marginalia, memo, memoir, memorial, message, minute, minutes, missive, notation, note, notice, prompt, prompter, prompting, record, register, registry, remembrance, remembrancer, reminder, scholia, scholium, tickler