cognomen
UK/kɒg'nәumәn/US
GREC2
Definitions
n.
An extra personal name or epithet; (originally) the third name of an ancient Roman marking a family branch.
（古罗马人的）姓氏/家族名；别名，绰号
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedco- (together, with) + (g)nomen (name, from nōmen) = 'an added name' — and, fittingly for this root family, literally a name by which a person is known. In ancient Rome the cognomen was the third name marking a family branch (Marcus Tullius Cicero ended in 'Cicero'). The g is a spelling fossil tying it to the cogn- 'know' branch. Now it loosely means a surname, epithet, or nickname.
Root nomin still carries 38 more wordsExample Sentences
- 1.
The general earned the cognomen 'Africanus' for his victories in Africa.