I. ˈnām noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English nama; akin to Old High German & Gothic namo name, Old Norse nafn, Latin nomen, Greek onyma, onoma, Sanskrit nāma
1.
a. : a word or sound or a combination of words or sounds by which an individual or a class of individuals (as persons or things) is regularly known or designated : a distinctive and specific appellation
the name of the boy is Mark
the name of this fruit is apple
metal is the name of a class of substances each of which has an individual name (as gold, silver, lead, copper, iron)
— see legal name
b.
(1) : a word usually with little or no connotation that can serve as the subject of a sentence ; also : the symbolic equivalent of such a word
(2) : a designating or identifying expression
“the smallest prime” and “the proposition that all men are equal” may be construed as names
2. usually capitalized : a symbol of divinity or an actual vehicle of divine attributes
the ascetics testify that this Name has in itself the power of the presence of God — Elizabeth Cram
Name — may mean either character, or manifestations of Jehovah, or Jehovah himself — W.A.Shelton
3.
a. : a descriptive or qualifying appellation based on character, attributes, or acts
his name shall be called Wonderful — Isa 9:6 (Authorized Version)
b. : an unpleasant, vulgar, or offensive appellation often based on some attribute
it is wrong to call names
4.
a. : reputed character : good or bad reputation
had the name of a miser
b. : honorable reputation or illustrious fame
had a name for learning
a name to conjure with
5.
a. : the designation of an individual regarded as his individuality or character
one of the most detested names in history
polio and cancer are among the most dread names today
b. : individuals sharing a name : race , family , clan
c. : a person or thing that is outstanding in importance, prominence, or interest
tried to get several names to give glamor to the party
6. : the appellation of a thing in distinction to the reality : mere seeming
the place was a town in name only
a poet in name but scarcely in production
gradual attrition reduced it to an empty name
7. : the mystic essence, character, or spiritual attribute of a person
•
- by name
- to one's name
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English namen, from Old English namian, from nama, n.
1. : to give a distinctive name or appellation to : entitle , denominate , style , call
named the child after her grandmother
2. : to mention or identify by name : utter or publish the name of
name one person who would do such a thing
everyone named him with praise
as
a. : to introduce (as oneself) by name
may I name these gentlemen
b.
(1) : to mention the name of (a member of a legislative body) in formal reprimand — used of the speaker of the house
(2) : to accuse by name
name the villain if you can
c. : to identify by naming
name that tree
: tell over the names of : recognize or recount by name
can name the books of the Bible in perfect order
3. : to appoint specifically or by name : assign to some purpose : nominate
the king named his eldest son to succeed him
let's name an early day for the wedding
4.
a. : to speak about : mention , stipulate , cite , state , quote
will he name a price
refused to name the source of the story
b. : to bring up in conversation : indicate , suggest — usually used with an indefinite it as object
if you don't see what you want, name it
I'll name it to him the next time we meet
Synonyms: see designate , mention
III. adjective
Etymology: name (I)
1. : bearing or intended for a name or names
leather name tag
ornately painted name signs
2.
a. : named in honor or remembrance of another
name child
b. : being the person for whom another is named
name ancestor
3. : giving its or the name to a collection or composition
the anthology opens with the name article
4. : accorded top rank for preeminence in performance under a distinctive name recognized as a mark of celebrity
a name band
a name writer
a name train
5. : bearing a name (as a trade name) accepted by a widely distributed public as the mark of approved or quality products supplied by a particular enterprise
insisting on name brands
sales of name merchandise