Nomenclator (nomenclature)

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

A nomenclator (/ˈnoʊmən.kleɪtər/ NOH-mən-KLAY-tər; 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.[1] Later, the scope was expanded to include names of people in any social context and also other socially important information about them.[2]

However, it has taken on several other meanings and also refers to a book containing collections or lists of words.[2] It also denotes a person, generally a public official, who announces the names of guests at a party or other social gathering or ceremony.[2]

In more general terms still, it is a person who provides or creates the names for things,[3] 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.[2][4]

  1. ^ Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, "A Latin Dictionary". Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1879. Digitised by Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  2. ^ a b c d Wiktionary
  3. ^ Merriam-webster.com/dictionary
  4. ^ Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828)