How Do You Spell AGNOMEN?

Pronunciation: [ˈaɡnə͡ʊmˌɛn] (IPA)

"Agnomen" is a rarely used word in English that refers to a nickname or additional name given to someone. It is spelled /æɡˈnoʊmən/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "æg" is pronounced like "egg" while the second syllable "noʊ" sounds like "no" and "mən" is pronounced as "men". The stress is on the second syllable. This Latin-derived word is not commonly used today, but can be found in contexts related to classical literature or history.

AGNOMEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Agnomen is a noun that refers to a descriptive nickname or a secondary name attributed to a person, often added to their original name to denote a specific quality, characteristic, or achievement. It is a term commonly used in linguistics and classical studies.

    The term "agnomen" originates from the Latin word "agnōmen," which means "additional name" or "name added to." In ancient times, it was a common practice to assign agnomina to military leaders, politicians, or notable individuals as a way to highlight their accomplishments or attributes. These additional names were often granted to individuals following significant achievements in battle, political successes, or as a tribute to their virtues.

    Agnomina usually consisted of a short phrase or word that symbolized an extraordinary event, personal quality, or a characteristic of the individual. For example, in ancient Rome, Gaius Julius Caesar was assigned the agnomen "Divus" (meaning "the divine" or "god-like") after his assassins declared him a god. Likewise, "Africanus" was an agnomen granted to Publius Cornelius Scipio after his stunning victory in the African continent.

    In modern times, agnomina are not as commonly used as they were in classical societies. However, the concept of agnomen can still be observed in certain cultures or subcultures, where individuals may adopt an additional name to identify themselves within a particular community or to emphasize a specific aspect of their persona.

  2. A name added in praise or dispraise.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for AGNOMEN

  • zgnomen
  • sgnomen
  • wgnomen
  • qgnomen
  • afnomen
  • avnomen
  • abnomen
  • ahnomen
  • aynomen
  • atnomen
  • agbomen
  • agmomen
  • agjomen
  • aghomen
  • agnimen
  • agnkmen
  • agnlmen
  • agnpmen
  • agn0men
  • agnomeh

Etymology of AGNOMEN

The word "agnomen" originated from the Latin term "agnōmen", which is derived from the verb "agnōscere", meaning "to recognize" or "to acknowledge". In ancient Rome, an agnomen was an additional name or nickname given to an individual as a form of recognition for a specific achievement, distinguishing characteristic, or event in their life. The term eventually found its way into the English language, retaining its original meaning.

Idioms with the word AGNOMEN

  • agnomen

Plural form of AGNOMEN is AGNOMINA

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