\Me*mo"ri*al\, a. [F. m['e]morial, L. memorialis, fr.
memoria. See {Memory}.]
1. Serving to preserve remembrance; commemorative; as, a
   memorial building.

         There high in air, memorial of my name, Fix the
         smooth oar, and bid me live to fame.  --Pope.

2. Contained in memory; as, a memorial possession.

3. Mnemonic; assisting the memory.

         This succession of Aspirate, Soft, and Hard, may be
         expressed by the memorial word ASH.   --Skeat.

{Memorial Day}. Same as {Decoration Day}. [U.S.]

\Me*mo"ri*al\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]morial.]
1. Anything intended to preserve the memory of a person or
   event; something which serves to keep something else in
   remembrance; a monument. --Macaulay.

         Churches have names; some as memorials of peace,
         some of wisdom, some in memory of the Trinity
         itself.                               --Hooker.

2. A memorandum; a record. [Obs. or R.] --Hayward.

3. A written representation of facts, addressed to the
   government, or to some branch of it, or to a society,
   etc., -- often accompanied with a petition.

4. Memory; remembrance. [Obs.]

         Precious is the memorial of the just. --Evelyn.

5. (Diplomacy) A species of informal state paper, much used
   in negotiation.