From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
memorial
n 1: a recognition of meritorious service [syn: memorial,
commemoration, remembrance]
2: a written statement of facts submitted in conjunction with a
petition to an authority
3: a structure erected to commemorate persons or events [syn:
memorial, monument]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Memorial \Me*mo"ri*al\, a. [F. m['e]morial, L. memorialis, fr.
memoria. See Memory.]
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1. Serving to preserve remembrance; commemorative; as, a
memorial building.
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There high in air, memorial of my name,
Fix the smooth oar, and bid me live to fame. --Pope.
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2. Contained in memory; as, a memorial possession.
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3. Mnemonic; assisting the memory.
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This succession of Aspirate, Soft, and Hard, may be
expressed by the memorial word ASH. --Skeat.
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Memorial Day. See Memorial Day in the vocabulary. Also
called {Decoration Day}. [U.S.]
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Memorial \Me*mo"ri*al\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]morial.]
1. Anything intended to preserve the memory of a person or
event; something which serves to keep something else in
remembrance; a monument. --Macaulay.
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Churches have names; some as memorials of peace,
some of wisdom, some in memory of the Trinity
itself. --Hooker.
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2. A memorandum; a record. [Obs. or R.] --Hayward.
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3. A written representation of facts, addressed to the
government, or to some branch of it, or to a society,
etc., -- often accompanied with a petition.
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4. Memory; remembrance. [Obs.]
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Precious is the memorial of the just. --Evelyn.
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5. (Diplomacy) A species of informal state paper, much used
in negotiation.
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