commemoration
UK[kəˌmeməˈreɪʃn]US[kəˌmeməˈreɪʃn]
n
An action, ceremony, or service that honors and remembers a person or event from the past.
n
Something, such as a monument or a special coin, that is created to make people remember an important person or event.
Morpheme Breakdown
com
memor
ation
com
together, with, thoroughly
memor
mindful, remembering
ation
Etymology
The word 'commemoration' is built upon the Latin verb 'commemorare', meaning "to recall to mind, remember, or mention". This verb itself is a compound of the intensive prefix 'com-' and the root 'memor', meaning "mindful". The suffix '-ation' was added to form a noun describing the act or result. The core logic flows from the literal idea of "bringing something thoroughly to mind" to the modern abstract concept of a formal act of remembrance. The root 'memor' can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European (s)mer-, meaning "to remember", which also gave rise to words like 'memory', 'memorial', and 'remember'.
Analysis
Structure: com + memor + ation
com: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "together, with, thoroughly". It acts as an intensifier in this word.
memor: Latin origin, from the root meaning "mindful, remembering". It is the core root conveying the sense of memory.
ation: Latin origin, a suffix forming nouns of action or state. It indicates the process or result of the action.
Examples
A ceremony was held in commemoration of the battle's anniversary.
The statue stands as a lasting commemoration of her achievements.
They issued a special stamp in commemoration of the poet's birth.