memory

Everyday

1. Memory is the ability of your brain to keep and remember things. tree →
2. A memory is something you remember from the past. tree →
3. A computer's memory is the part where it stores information. tree →

In the lessons

In school, memory helps you learn times tables, spellings and facts; tricks like rhymes and repeating help memory. In science the brain stores memories, and sleep helps memory. In computing, memory is measured in bytes (megabytes, gigabytes). In everyday life people share happy memories of holidays and grandparents, and «in memory of» someone honours a person who died. Phrases: «from memory» (without looking), «a good memory», «memory lane».

Examples

• I have a good memory for faces. tree →
• One of my best memories is our trip to the beach. tree →
• Say the poem from memory. tree →
• The phone's memory is full. tree →
• Sleep helps your memory work better. tree →
• The bench was put there in memory of our old teacher. tree →
• My earliest memory is of my baby sister. tree →
• Elephants are said to have great memories. tree →
• The memory of a good deed lives. tree →

Note

Plural «memories» (y → ies). Uncountable for the ability (memory), countable for things remembered (a memory). «Memorise / memorize» = learn by heart (British -ise, American -ize). «Memorial» is a monument. Myth: goldfish have only a three-second memory — not true, they can remember for months.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Jewish tradition places great weight on remembering, such as the Exodus and Shabbat. To have one's memory wiped out is seen as the worst fate. In the primary lessons: In school, memory helps you learn times tables, spellings and facts; tricks like rhymes and repeating help memory. In science the brain stores memories, and sleep helps memory. In computing, memory is measured in bytes (megabytes, gigabytes). In everyday life people share happy memories of holidays and grandparents, and «in memory of» someone honours a person who died. Phrases: «from memory» (without looking), «a good memory», «memory lane».

Examples

• I thought I would make an end of them, I would make their memory cease from among men; (Torah DEU.32.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• TO THE MEMORY OF MY SISTER (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• The memory of the righteous shall be for a blessing; but the name of the wicked shall rot. (Writings PRO.10.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Let them be before the LORD continually, that He may cut off the memory of them from the earth. (Writings PSA.109.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• The dead live not, the shades rise not; to that end hast Thou punished and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. (Prophets ISA.26.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural «memories» (y → ies). Uncountable for the ability (memory), countable for things remembered (a memory). «Memorise / memorize» = learn by heart (British -ise, American -ize). «Memorial» is a monument. Myth: goldfish have only a three-second memory — not true, they can remember for months.