agnomen

noun

ag·no·men ag-ˈnō-mən

plural agnomina ag-ˈnä-mə-nə

or agnomens

: an additional cognomen given to a person by the ancient Romans (as in honor of some achievement)

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin agnōmen, alteration of *adnōmen (by analogy with nōscere "to get to know" : agnōscere "to acknowledge, recognize"), from ad- ad- + nōmen name entry 1 — more at agnize

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of agnomen was in 1654

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Agnomen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agnomen. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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agnomen

noun

Word History

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