nonmnemonic
|non-mne-mon-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑn.nɪˈmɑnɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒn.nɪˈmɒnɪk/
not aiding memory
Etymology
'nonmnemonic' originates from English combining the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not' and Old English usage of 'non-/nān' as negation) and 'mnemonic' (originating from Greek 'mnēmonikos'), specifically 'mnēmonikos' from Greek, where 'mnēmē' meant 'memory'.
'mnemonic' entered English via Latin/Medieval Latin 'mnemonicus' (and via French 'mnémonique') from the Greek word 'mnēmonikos', and the modern English compound 'nonmnemonic' is formed by adding the productive English negative prefix 'non-' to that inherited adjective.
Initially, 'mnēmonikos' and its descendants meant 'of or relating to memory'; over time 'mnemonic' came to be used for devices or techniques that aid memory, and 'nonmnemonic' has come to mean 'not aiding memory' or 'not related to mnemonic techniques'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not mnemonic; not designed to aid memory or not using mnemonic devices; not helpful for remembering.
The instruction booklet was nonmnemonic, so trainees found it difficult to remember the steps.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/10 16:50