praenomen

or pre·no·men

[ pree-noh-muhn ]

/ priˈnoʊ mən /

Save This Word!

noun, plural prae·nom·i·na

[pree-nom-uh-nuh, -noh-muh-], /priˈnɒm ə nə, -ˈnoʊ mə-/, prae·no·mens.

the first or personal name of a Roman citizen, as “Gaius” in “Gaius Julius Caesar.”

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of praenomen

1655–65; <Latin praenōmen, equivalent to prae-prae- + nōmenname

OTHER WORDS FROM praenomen

prae·nom·i·nal

[pree-nom-uh-nl], /priˈnɒm ə nl/, adjective

Words nearby praenomen

praedial, praefect, praemunire, Praeneste, Praenestine, praenomen, praepostor, Praesepe, praesidium, praetexta, praetor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use praenomen in a sentence

His person more than justified his praenomen, for Mr. Harper Freeman, Jr., was undeniably fat.
Corporal Cameron|Ralph Connor
Titus is here the first name (praenomen) which was given sons on the ninth day after their birth.
Quintus Claudius, Volume 1 of 2|Ernst Eckstein
The name of the month in which he was born was changed to Julius, from his praenomen, and we still retain the name.
History of Julius Caesar|Jacob Abbott
The name by which the poet designates himself is Propertius simply; the praenomen Sextus rests on the authority of Donatus.
The Student's Companion to Latin Authors|George Middleton

He therefore changed his praenomen to that of his adoptive father, and put his former nomen among his cognomina.
The Student's Companion to Latin Authors|George Middleton

British Dictionary definitions for praenomen

praenomen

/ (priːˈnəʊmɛn) /

noun plural -nomina (-ˈnɒmɪnə) or -nomens

an ancient Roman's first or given nameSee also agnomen, cognomen, nomen

Derived forms of praenomen

praenominal (priːˈnɒmɪnəl), adjectivepraenominally, adverb

Word Origin for praenomen

C18: from Latin, from prae- before + nōmen name

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012