[L. agnōmen, adnōmen, f. ad to + (g)nōmen name; cf. adgnō-sc-ĕre to recognize.] In Rom. Antiq. A second cognomen or fourth name, occasionally assumed by Romans. Hence loosely, A ‘to-name’ or additional name subsequently acquired.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., The generality of grammarians speak of the agnomen as a fourth name superadded to the cognomen or third name, on account of some extraordinary action, virtue, or the like: as Africanus in Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Ennui, ix. (1832), VI. 101. She was wonderfully happy in the invention of agnomens.
1814. Scott, Wav., xvii. 74. Small pale features, from which he derived his agnomen of Bean, or white.
