agnomen

[ag-noh-muhn]

noun

plural

agnomina 

1. an additional, fourth name given to a person by the ancient Romans in allusion to some achievement or other circumstance, as “Africanus” in “Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus.”

2. a nickname.

agnomen

/ æɡˈnɒmɪnəl, æɡˈnəʊmɛn /

noun

1. the fourth name or second cognomen occasionally acquired by an ancient Roman See also cognomen nomen praenomen

2. another word for nickname

Other Word Forms

• agnominal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of agnomen¹

1745–55; < Late Latin, equivalent to ad- ad- + nōmen name, with alteration to ag- through influence of agnōscere; agnize

Word History and Origins

Origin of agnomen¹

C18: from Late Latin, from ad- in addition to + nōmen name

Example Sentences

While its most familiar building is a Catholic cathedral and its most famous sports franchise carries a heavenly agnomen, New Orleans lacks a non-gridiron saint.

From Washington Times

Why old Antony was persuaded of the devil to christen his second child by the ungodly agnomen of Henry, we are not informed.

From Project Gutenberg

To counteract the confusion that would inevitably arise, an agnomen or "tee-name" is usually appended.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes there was also a fourth name, called the agnomen, added from some illustrious action, or remarkable event.

From Project Gutenberg

I was a little anxious to know whether her ladyship would honour me with an agnomen.

From Project Gutenberg