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| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| family name | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a surname, esp when regarded as representing the family honour |
| 2. | a first or middle name frequently used in a family, often originally a surname |
family name
name added to a "given" name, in many cases inherited and held in common by members of a family. Originally, many surnames identified a person by his connection with another person, usually his father (Johnson, MacDonald); others gave his residence (Orleans, York, Atwood [i.e., living at the woods]) or occupation (Weaver, Hooper, Taylor). A surname could also be descriptive of a person's appearance (Little, Red) or his exploits (Armstrong).
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