English Explanatory Dictionary

moniker

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A personal name or nickname; an informal label, often drawing attention to a particular attribute.
  2. A person's signature.
  3. An object (structured item of data) used to associate the name of an object with its location.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɒn.ɪ.kə/ /ˈmɑn.ɪ.kɚ/ en-us-moniker.ogg en-au-moniker.ogg

Word forms

moniker monikers monicker monniker

Etymology

Unknown; first attested in 1849. Suggested derivations are: * Backslang for ekename (compare nickname); * From Shelta munik, munika; * From monk; * Partridge (A Dictionary of Historical Slang) suggests a corruption of monogram, which is suggestive of the sense signature. * From monarch in the sense 'king or No. 1, and thus with frank egotism, "I, myself".' (The Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. 281, pg. 349.) Online Etymological Dictionary's entry cites the Saturday Review (London newspaper) of 1857, which noted, "the word has a certain Coptic or Egyptian twang".

Synonyms

byname nickname pseudonym sobriquet street name to-name name nomenclature proper name tag

Related words

cognomen nom de guerre nom de plume nom de Web trademark

Derived words

monikered
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