The word "Highnam" is a proper noun that refers to a village located in Gloucestershire, England. The pronunciation of this word can be written in IPA as /ˈhaɪnəm/. The spelling of "Highnam" can be broken down phonetically as "h" (sound made by exhaling with the vocal cords closed), "ai" (the diphthong sound made by combining the "a" sound and the "i" sound), "n" (a voiced sound made by bringing the tip of the tongue to the alveolar ridge), and "əm" (a vowel sound made by keeping the lips relaxed and the tongue neutral).
The word "Highnam" is a toponymic surname of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words "heah" meaning "high" or "tall", and "ham" which translates to "homestead" or "enclosure". Therefore, "Highnam" likely refers to someone who lived in or hailed from a high or elevated area. It is worth noting that "Highnam" is also a place name in Gloucestershire, England, and the surname may have originated from this location. However, it is important to verify specific references or historical records to get a more precise understanding of the word's etymology in each context.