antimnemonic
|an-ti-mne-mon-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.nɪˈmɑː.nɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.nɪˈmɒn.ɪk/
against memory
Etymology
'antimnemonic' originates from prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') combined with 'mnemonic' (from Greek 'mnēmonikos', 'of memory').
'mnemonic' comes from Greek 'mnēmonikos' (relating to memory) via Latin/Medieval usage into modern English 'mnemonic'; 'anti-' as a productive prefix has long been used in English to form opposites, producing 'antimnemonic'.
Initially the root 'mnemonic' meant 'relating to memory or intended to assist memory'; with the addition of 'anti-' the compound came to mean 'against or hindering memory'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
something (a device, element, or feature) that impedes memory or makes remembering more difficult.
Bright, flashing ads between sections acted as antimnemonics, so students struggled to recall the lesson sequence.
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Adjective 1
tending to prevent, obstruct, or work against memory or memorization; counter to mnemonic devices or techniques.
The handbook's dense, jargon-filled layout was almost antimnemonic, making it hard for readers to remember the key steps.
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Adverb 1
in a way that impairs memory or runs counter to mnemonic techniques (used to modify verbs or clauses).
The instructions were written antimnemonically, so trainees repeatedly forgot the procedure.
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Last updated: 2025/09/04 08:18