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cognomen Definition

cog·no·men (käg nō′mən)

noun pl. -·no′·mens or -·nom′i·na-näm′i nə

  1. the third or family name of an ancient Roman (Ex.: Marcus Tullius Cicero)
  2. any family name; surname; last name
  3. any name; esp., a nickname

Etymology: L < co-, with + nomen, name: sp. infl. by assoc. with *gnomen < Gr gnōma, mark, token: akin to L gnoscere, know

cognomen Related Forms
cog·nom′i·nal (-näm′i nəl) adjective
cognomen Synonyms

cognomen

n.

last name, surname, nickname; see name 1, 3.

cognomen Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • have: Male and female citizens, especially from the 1st century A.D. onwards, usually had a cognomen after their gentilicium.