by-name

A child is called by his by-name affectionately by his grandmother.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A nickname or epithet: "by-name" refers to a secondary name, often descriptive or informal, given to a person or place in addition to their official name.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the village, everyone knew him by his by-name, "Old Oak." (His informal nickname used locally.)
  • The mountain's by-name, "The Sleeping Giant," was more popular than its official name. (A descriptive epithet used by locals.)

Advanced Usage

• "to go by a by-name": to be commonly known or addressed by a secondary name.
  • She went by the by-name "Red" because of her hair colour. (She was called by a descriptive nickname.)

Variants and Related Words

• Byname (n): an alternative spelling, meaning the same as "by-name."
• Nickname (n): a familiar or humorous name given to a person instead of or as well as their real name (often used interchangeably with "by-name," though "by-name" is less common and more formal).

Synonyms

• Nickname: a descriptive or informal name.
• Epithet: a descriptive term or phrase, often used as a title.
• Moniker: an informal name or nickname.

Phrasal Verbs

• None directly associated with "by-name."

Related Idioms

• None directly associated with "by-name."