cognomen
/kɑɡˈnoʊmən/
noun
- A nickname or familiar name given to a person, often based on a characteristic or achievement.
- In high school, my grandfather earned the cognomen 'Flash' for his speed on the track.
- The chef's cognomen 'The Saucier' reflected his specialty in making sauces.
- The old king was known by the cognomen 'the Wise' because of his fair judgments.
- A family name or surname, especially in ancient Roman culture.
- In ancient Rome, a citizen's cognomen often indicated which branch of a family he belonged to.
- Many Roman generals added a cognomen after a great victory, like Scipio Africanus.
- Julius Caesar's cognomen 'Caesar' originally meant 'hairy' in Latin.
- A name or title that describes someone or something; an epithet.
- Her cognomen 'The Iron Lady' reflected her strong leadership style.
- The city earned the cognomen 'The Big Apple' in the 1920s.
- The mountain's cognomen 'The Roof of the World' describes its extreme height.