memorize
UK[ˈmem.ə.raɪz]US[ˈmem.ə.raɪz]
v
to learn something so that you will remember it exactly
Morpheme Breakdown
memor
ize
memor
memory
ize
verb suffix
Etymology
the verb 'memorize' is a relatively modern formation, built upon the classical latin root 'memor', which means 'mindful' or 'remembering'. this root itself is traced back to the proto-indo-european (s)mer-, meaning 'to remember', a concept also giving rise to words like 'memory' and 'mourn'. the suffix '-ize', borrowed from greek and latin, is a productive verb-forming element meaning 'to make or become'. therefore, the literal construction 'to make mindful' logically evolved into the modern abstract sense of committing information to memory through deliberate effort.
Analysis
Structure: memor (memory) + ize (verb suffix)
memor (from latin 'memor', meaning 'mindful, remembering'), ize (verb-forming suffix from greek '-izein' via latin '-izare', indicating 'to make, to become, to practice')
Examples
she had to memorize all the state capitals for the geography test.
actors often spend weeks memorizing their lines before a performance.
he found it difficult to memorize long sequences of numbers.