agnomen

[ ag-noh-muhn ]

noun

, plural ag·nom·i·na [ag-, nom, -, uh, -n, uh].

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.” Compare cognomen ( def 3 ).
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

Derived Forms

• agnominal, adjective

Other Words From

• ag·nom·i·nal [ag-, nom, -, uh, -nl], 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

It was this slight connection with ‘the trade’ which gained for Cromwell the agnomen of ‘the brewer.’

From Project Gutenberg

A blank is here in the MS. Agnomen is found in some of the others.

From Project Gutenberg

He obtained the Agnomen of Numidicus for his services in the Jugurthine war.

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