Nomenclator (nomenclature)

Sepulchral inscription for Epaphroditus, imperial freedman and nomenclator, and his wife Flavia Prisca

A nomenclator (/ˈnoʊmən.kleɪtər/;[1] English plural nomenclators, Latin plural nomenclatores; derived from the Latin nomen- name + calare - to call), in classical times, referred to a slave whose duty was to recall the names of persons his master met during a political campaign.[2] Later this became names of people in any social context and included other socially important information.[3]

However, it has taken on several other meanings and also refers to a book containing collections or lists of words.[3] It also denotes a person, generally a public official, who announces the names of guests at a party or other social gathering or ceremony.[3]

In more general terms still, it is a person who provides or creates the names for things.[4] and this can apply to the application of names in a scientific or any other context but especially in relation to specialist terminologies, glossaries etc.[3][5]

References

  1. ↑ US dict: nō′·mən·klā·tər
  2. ↑ Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, "A Latin Dictionary". Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1879. Digitised by Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Wiktionary
  4. ↑ Merriam-webster.com/dictionary
  5. ↑ Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828)
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