- name
-
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English nama; akin to Old High German namo name, Latin nomen, Greek onoma, onyma
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing
b. a word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity
2. a descriptive often disparaging epithet <called him names> 3. a. reputation <gave the town a bad name> b. an illustrious record ; fame <made a name for himself in golf> c. a person or thing with a reputation 4. family, clan 5. appearance as opposed to reality <a friend in name only> 6. one referred to by a name <praise his holy name> II. transitive verb (named; naming) Date: before 12th century 1. to give a name to ; call 2. a. to mention or identify by name <refused to name a suspect> b. to accuse by name 3. to nominate for office ; appoint 4. to decide on ; choose <name the day for the wedding> 5. to mention explicitly ; specify <unwilling to name a price> • namer noun III. adjective Date: 1598 1. of, relating to, or bearing a name <name tags> 2. appearing in the name of a literary or theatrical production 3. a. having an established reputation b. featuring celebrities
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
