aide-mémoire

American  

[eyd-mem-wahr, ed-mey-mwar] / ˈeɪd mɛmˈwɑr, ɛd meɪˈmwar /

noun

plural

aide-mémoire

1. a memorandum summarizing a discussion, agreement, or action.

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aide-mémoire British  

/ ˈeɪd mɛmˈwɑː, ɛdmemwar /

noun

1. a note serving as a reminder

2. a summarized diplomatic communication

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Etymology

Origin of aide-mémoire

1840–50; < French: literally, (that which) aids (the) memory

Explanation

In political science and international relations, an aide-memoire is an unofficial written summary of some agreement, proposal, or action. One country may send an aide-memoire to another during peacemaking negotiations. Because it's an aide-memoire and not an official document, neither country is expected to be held to any agreements listed in it — it's more of an informal proposal. Groups like the World Trade Organization and the United Nations often use aide-memoirs in their interactions. Aide-memoire comes from the French words aider, "to help," and mémoire, "memory."

Example Sentences

How the toy-to-boy communication takes place, however, remains unclear for quite a while, because Malone refuses to part with his aide-mémoire.

From Washington Post • Sep. 8, 2021

After all, if fashion teaches us anything, it is how easy it is to forget, even with a physical object left behind as an aide-mémoire.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2021

On his way out, he sent me an e-mail as an aide-mémoire.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 29, 2014

With 11 of the 12 Sports Personality of the Year nominations going to Olympic and Paralympic athletes, here is the final part of our guide, as an aide-mémoire for when voting begins on Sunday evening.

From The Guardian • Dec. 15, 2012

Conran documents his parties the new-fashioned way, photographing them with his iPhone, then loading the images onto his computer to create “an aide-mémoire, sort of.”

From New York Times • Dec. 1, 2011