cognomen

cog·no·men

noun \käg-ˈnō-mən, ˈkäg-nə-\

plural cognomens or cog·no·mi·na \käg-ˈnä-mə-nə, -ˈnō-\

Definition of COGNOMEN

1

: surname; especially : the third of usually three names borne by a male citizen of ancient Rome — compare nomen, praenomen

2

: name; especially : a distinguishing nickname or epithet

— cog·nom·i·nal \käg-ˈnä-mə-n^əl\ adjective

Examples of COGNOMEN

1. <richly deserved the cognomen of “Butterfingers”>
2. <“Christopher Columbus” is the Latinized cognomen of the navigator who was known to his Spanish crewmates as Cristóbal Colón>

Origin of COGNOMEN

Latin, irregular from co- + nomen name — more at name

First Known Use: 1691

Related to COGNOMEN

Synonyms

alias, byname, nickname, epithet, handle, moniker (also monicker), sobriquet (also soubriquet), surname

Related Words

appellation, denomination, denotation, designation, label, tag, title; anonym, nom de guerre, nom de plume, pen name, pseudonym

Rhymes with COGNOMEN

agnomen, crossbowman, Dahoman, longbowman, praenomen, Sertoman