Byname

Alternative forms

• by-name

Origin

From Middle English, equivalent to - + name. Cognate with Dutch bijnaam ("nickname"), German Beiname ("nickname, epithet").

Full definition of byname

Noun

1. (archaic, historical) A secondary name for a person or thing; a person's surname.
2. (archaic, historical) A nickname.
3. (UK dialectal, Scotland) A pseudonym; nom-de-plume.
4. (paganism) A ritual title for a god or goddess used in Heathenry.

Synonyms

• cognomen
• sobriquet
• to-name

Verb

1. (transitive, archaic) To assign a byname to.

Anagrams

• baymen