a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, a body or class, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known.
mere designation, as distinguished from fact: He was a king in name only.
an appellation, title, or epithet, applied descriptively, in honor, abuse, etc.
a reputation of a particular kind given by common opinion: to protect one's good name.
a distinguished, famous, or great reputation; fame: to make a name for oneself.
a widely known or famous person; celebrity: She's a name in show business.
an unpleasant or derogatory appellation or expression: Don't call your brother names! Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.
a personal or family name as exercising influence or bringing distinction: With that name they can get a loan at any bank in town.
a body of persons grouped under one name, as a family or clan.
the verbal or other symbolic representation of a thing, event, property, relation, or concept.
(initial capital letter)a symbol or vehicle of divinity: to take the Name in vain; the power of the Name.
verb (used with object),named,nam·ing.
to give a name to: to name a baby.
to accuse: He was named as the thief.
to call by an epithet: They named her speedy.
to identify, specify, or mention by name: Three persons were named in the report.
to designate for some duty or office; nominate or appoint: I have named you for the position.
to specify; suggest: Name a price.
to give the name of: Can you name the capital of Ohio?
to speak of.
British. (in the House of Commons) to cite (a member) for contempt.
adjective
famous; widely known: a name author.
designed for or carrying a name.
giving its name or title to a collection or anthology containing it: the name piece.
Idioms
by name,
personally; individually: She was always careful to address every employee by name.
not personally; by repute: I know him by name only.
call names, to scold or speak abusively of or to a person: Better not to call names unless one is larger and considerably stronger than one's adversary.
in the name of,
with appeal to: In the name of mercy, stop that screaming!
by the authority of: Open, in the name of the law!
on behalf of: to purchase something in the name of another.
under the name or possession of: money deposited in the name of a son.
under the designation or excuse of: murder in the name of justice.
name names, to specify people by name, especially those who have been accomplices in a misdeed: The witness in the bribery investigation threatened to name names.
to one's name, in one's possession: I haven't a penny to my name.
Origin of name
before 900;Middle English;Old Englishnama; cognate with GermanName,Gothicnamô; akin to Old Norsenafn,Latinnōmen,Greekónoma,Old Irishainm,Polishimię,Czechjméno
Related formsnam·er, nounre·name, verb (used with object),re·named,re·nam·ing.self-named, adjectiveun·der·name, nounun·der·named, adjectivewell-named, adjective
1. Name,title both refer to the label by which a person is known. Name is the simpler and more general word for appellation: The name is John. A title is an official or honorary term bestowed on a person or the specific designation of a book, article, etc.: He now has the title of Doctor. Treasure Island is the title of a book.4. repute, character, credit. 5. note, distinction, renown, eminence. 6. personality. 14. nickname, dub, denominate. 16. choose. 17. mention.
a word or term by which a person or thing is commonly and distinctively knownRelated adjective: nominal
mere outward appearance or form as opposed to fact (esp in the phrase in name)he was a ruler in name only
a word, title, or phrase descriptive of character, usually abusive or derogatoryto call a person names
reputation, esp, if unspecified, good reputationhe's made quite a name for himself
a famous person or thinga name in the advertising world
mainlyUS and Canadian(as modifier)a name product
a member of Lloyd's who provides part of the capital of a syndicate and shares in its profits or losses but does not arrange its business
in the name oforunder the name ofusing as a name
in the name of
for the sake of
by the sanction or authority of
know by nameto have heard of without having met
name of the game
anything that is essential, significant, or important
expected or normal conditions, circumstances, etcin gambling, losing money's the name of the game
to one's namebelonging to oneI haven't a penny to my name
verb(tr)
to give a name to; call by a nameshe named the child Edward
to refer to by name; citehe named three French poets
to determine, fix, or specifythey have named a date for the meeting
to appoint to or cite for a particular title, honour, or duty; nominatehe was named Journalist of the Year
to ban (an MP) from the House of Commons by mentioning him formally by name as being guilty of disorderly conduct
name and shameto reveal the identity of a person or organization guilty of illegal or unacceptable behaviour in order to embarrass them into not repeating the offence
name namesto cite people, esp in order to blame or accuse them
name the dayto choose the day for one's wedding
you name itwhatever you need, mention, etc
Derived Formsnamableornameable, adjective
Word Origin for name
Old English nama, related to Latin nomen, Greek noma, Old High German namo, German Namen
Old English nama, noma "name, reputation," from Proto-Germanic *namon (cf. Old Saxon namo, Old Frisian nama, Old High German namo, German Name, Middle Dutch name, Dutch naam, Old Norse nafn, Gothic namo "name"), from PIE *nomn- (cf. Sanskrit nama; Avestan nama; Greek onoma, onyma; Latin nomen; Old Church Slavonic ime, genitive imene; Russian imya; Old Irish ainm; Old Welsh anu "name").
Meaning "famous person" is from 1610s. Meaning "one's reputation" is from c.1300. As a modifier meaning "well-known," first attested 1938. Name brand is from 1944; name-calling attested from 1846; name-dropper first recorded 1947. name-tag is from 1903; name-child attested from 1845. The name of the game "the essential thing or quality" is from 1966; to have one's name in lights "be a famous performer" is from 1929.
He who once a good name gets, May piss a bed, and say he sweats.
["Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit and Pickpocket Eloquence," London, 1811]
name
v.
Old English namian "to name, call; nominate, appoint," from source of name (n.). Related: Named; naming.
