commemorative (adj.)

1590s, "call to remembrance," from Latin commemoratus, past participle of commemorare "bring to remembrance," from com-, here perhaps an intensive prefix (see com-), + memorare "to remind," from memor "mindful of" (from PIE root *(s)mer- (1) "to remember").

Meaning "perpetuate the memory of" (by solemn act, etc.) is from 1630s. Of things, "to serve as a memento of, to perpetuate the memory of," 1766. Related: Commemorated; commemorates; commemorating.

word-forming element making adjectives from verbs, meaning "pertaining to, tending to; doing, serving to do," in some cases from Old French -if, but usually directly from Latin adjectival suffix -ivus (source also of Italian and Spanish -ivo). In some words borrowed from French at an early date it has been reduced to -y (as in hasty, tardy).