Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

name       (nām)  Pronunciation Key  n.   A word or words by which an entity is designated and distinguished from others. A word or group of words used to describe or evaluate, often disparagingly. Representation or repute, as opposed to reality: a democracy in name, a police state in fact. A reputation: has a bad name. A distinguished reputation: made a name for himself as a drummer. An illustrious or outstanding person: joined several famous names for a photograph. See Synonyms at celebrity. tr.v.   named, nam·ing, names To give a name to: named the child after both grandparents. To mention, specify, or cite by name: named the primary colors. To call by an epithet: named them all cowards. To nominate for or appoint to a duty, an office, or an honor. See Synonyms at appoint. To specify or fix: We need to name the time for our meeting. adj.   Informal Well-known by a name: a name performer. [Middle English, from Old English nama; see n-men- in Indo-European roots.] nam'a·ble, name'a·ble adj., nam'er n.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
name 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

name
noun
1.	a language unit by which a person or thing is known; "his name really is George Washington"; "those are two names for the same thing"
2.	a person's reputation; "he wanted to protect his good name"
3.	family based on male descent; "he had no sons and there was no one to carry on his name"
4.	a well-known or notable person; "they studied all the great names in the history of France"; "she is an important figure in modern music"
5.	by the sanction or authority of; "halt in the name of the law"
6.	a defamatory or abusive word or phrase
verb
1.	assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to; "They named their son David"; "The new school was named after the famous Civil Rights leader"
2.	give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by name or some other identifying characteristic property; "Many senators were named in connection with the scandal"; "The almanac identifies the auspicious months"
3.	charge with a function; charge to be; "She was named Head of the Committee"; "She was made president of the club"
4.	create and charge with a task or function; "nominate a committee" [syn: appoint]
5.	mention and identify by name; "name your accomplices!"
6.	make reference to; "His name was mentioned in connection with the invention" [syn: mention]
7.	identify as in botany or biology, for example [syn: identify]
8.	give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of; "List the states west of the Mississippi" [syn: list]
9.	determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a diagnostic analysis [syn: diagnose]

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

name

In addition to the idioms beginning with name, also see call names; clear one's name; drop names; give a bad name; go by (the name of); handle to one's name; in name only; in the name of; make a name for oneself; on a first-name basis; take someone's name in vain; to one's name; worthy of the name; you name it.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Name

Name\, n. [AS. nama; akin to D. naam, OS. & OHG. namo, G. name, Icel. nafn, for namn, Dan. navn, Sw. namn, Goth. nam[=o], L. nomen (perh. influenced by noscere, gnoscere, to learn to know), Gr. 'o`mona, Scr. n[=a]man. [root]267. Cf. Anonymous, Ignominy, Misnomer, Nominal, Noun.]

1. The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class.

Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. --Gen. ii. 19.

What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet. --Shak.

2. A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person or thing, on account of a character or acts.

His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. --Is. ix. 6.

3. Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction.

What men of name resort to him? --Shak.

Far above . . . every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. --Eph. i. 21.

I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom. --1 Macc. iii. 14.

He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin. --Deut. xxii. 19.

The king's army . . . had left no good name behind. --Clarendon.

4. Those of a certain name; a race; a family.

The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his name, came every day to pay their feigned civilities. --Motley.

5. A person, an individual. [Poetic]

They list with women each degenerate name. --Dryden.

Christian name. (a) The name a person receives at baptism, as distinguished from surname; baptismal name. (b) A given name, whether received at baptism or not.

Given name. See under Given.

In name, in profession, or by title only; not in reality; as, a friend in name.

In the name of. (a) In behalf of; by the authority of. " I charge you in the duke's name to obey me." --Shak. (b) In the represented or assumed character of. "I'll to him again in name of Brook." --Shak.

Name plate, a plate as of metal, glass, etc., having a name upon it, as a sign; a doorplate.

Pen name, a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or nom de plume. --Bayard Taylor.

Proper name (Gram.), a name applied to a particular person, place, or thing.

To call names, to apply opprobrious epithets to; to call by reproachful appellations.

To take a name in vain, to use a name lightly or profanely; to use a name in making flippant or dishonest oaths. --Ex. xx. 7.

Syn: Appellation; title; designation; cognomen; denomination; epithet.

Usage: Name, Appellation, Title, Denomination. Name is generic, denoting that combination of sounds or letters by which a person or thing is known and distinguished. Appellation, although sometimes put for name simply, denotes, more properly, a descriptive term, used by way of marking some individual peculiarity or characteristic; as, Charles the Bold, Philip the Stammerer. A title is a term employed to point out one's rank, office, etc.; as, the Duke of Bedford, Paul the Apostle, etc. Denomination is to particular bodies what appellation is to individuals; thus, the church of Christ is divided into different denominations, as Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Name

Name\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Named; p. pr. & vb. n. Naming.] [AS. namian. See Name, n.]

1. To give a distinctive name or appellation to; to entitle; to denominate; to style; to call.

She named the child Ichabod. --1 Sam. iv. 21.

Thus was the building left Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named. --Milton.

2. To mention by name; to utter or publish the name of; to refer to by distinctive title; to mention.

None named thee but to praise. --Halleck.

Old Yew, which graspest at the stones That name the underlying dead. --Tennyson.

3. To designate by name or specifically for any purpose; to nominate; to specify; to appoint; as, to name a day for the wedding.

Whom late you have named for consul. --Shak.

4. (House of Commons) To designate (a member) by name, as the Speaker does by way of reprimand.

Syn: To denominate; style; term; call; mention; specify; designate; nominate.

American Heritage Abbreviations Dictionary 3rd Edition - Cite This Source - Share This

NAME National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts