Main Entry: ¹nick·name

Pronunciation: \ˈnik-ˌnām\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English nekename additional name, alteration (resulting from misdivision of an ekename) of ekename, from eke eke, also + name name

Date: 15th century

1 : a usually descriptive name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to a person, place, or thing
2 : a familiar form of a proper name (as of a person or a city)