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in memoriam

in memoriam

7.3
A title for a work that honors someone who has died
  • idiom
  • Literature
translation icon : en memoria de
  • " In memoriam.

Examples

  • In memoriam."

  • " In memoriam.

  • In memoriam."

  • The exhibition featured several pieces created in memoriam for the late artist, honoring her contributions to the art world.

  • The annual concert will be held in memoriam of the beloved musician who inspired generations of fans.

  • The book was published in memoriam to commemorate the life and achievements of the renowned author.

Synonyms

tribute
vsin memoriam
206 4.5

Words or actions that show respect and praise

is used as titles for artistic works created to remember someone who has died
in honor of
vsin memoriam
  • US
90 1.8

To show respect to someone or something

is specifically a title for artistic works honoring someone who has died
memorial
vsin memoriam
  • Formal
42 4.6

An official statement that praises a person's service or achievements

is used as titles for artistic works remembering someone who has died
epitaph
vsin memoriam
18 7.8

A short message written on a tombstone to remember a dead person

is used as titles for artistic works rather than short tombstone inscriptions
in memory of
vsin memoriam
18 3.7

To remember someone who has died

is used mainly as titles for artistic works honoring the dead

Surface Forms

Morphology

in + memoriam

This is a Latin phrase: knowing the English preposition 'in' does not help a B1 learner decode 'memoriam' (a non-English/Latin form of 'memory'), so the meaning 'in memory of' is not derivable from the visible constituents. Although many languages have equivalent expressions for honoring the dead, the use of a Latin lexical item makes the phrase idiomatic and unpredictable for learners, so it is not transparent.

Etymology

In Memoriam is used as a title because artists and composers put the words on works made to remember a person, telling people the piece is 'in memory' of someone. That's why a work called In Memoriam is meant to honor a dead person.