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To take a name in vain

Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Name \Name\, n. [AS. nama; akin to D. naam, OS. & OHG. namo, G.
   name, Icel. nafn, for namn, Dan. navn, Sw. namn, Goth.
   nam[=o], L. nomen (perh. influenced by noscere, gnoscere, to
   learn to know), Gr. 'o`mona, Scr. n[=a]man. [root]267. Cf.
   {Anonymous}, {Ignominy}, {Misnomer}, {Nominal}, {Noun}.]
   1. The title by which any person or thing is known or
      designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of
      an individual or a class.

            Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that
            was the name thereof.                 --Gen. ii. 19.

            What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any
            other name would smell as sweet.      --Shak.

   2. A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person
      or thing, on account of a character or acts.

            His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
            mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of
            Peace.                                --Is. ix. 6.

   3. Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation;
      fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable
      estimation; distinction.

            What men of name resort to him?       --Shak.

            Far above . . . every name that is named, not only
            in this world, but also in that which is to come.
                                                  --Eph. i. 21.

            I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom. --1
                                                  Macc. iii. 14.

            He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin.
                                                  --Deut. xxii.
                                                  19.

            The king's army . . . had left no good name behind.
                                                  --Clarendon.

   4. Those of a certain name; a race; a family.

            The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his
            name, came every day to pay their feigned
            civilities.                           --Motley.

   5. A person, an individual. [Poetic]

            They list with women each degenerate name. --Dryden.

   {Christian name}.
      (a) The name a person receives at baptism, as
          distinguished from {surname}; baptismal name.
      (b) A given name, whether received at baptism or not.

   {Given name}. See under {Given}.

   {In name}, in profession, or by title only; not in reality;
      as, a friend in name.

   {In the name of}.
      (a) In behalf of; by the authority of. `` I charge you in
          the duke's name to obey me.''           --Shak.
      (b) In the represented or assumed character of. ``I'll to
          him again in name of Brook.''           --Shak.

   {Name plate}, a plate as of metal, glass, etc., having a name
      upon it, as a sign; a doorplate.

   {Pen name}, a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or nom
      de plume. --Bayard Taylor.

   {Proper name} (Gram.), a name applied to a particular person,
      place, or thing.

   {To call names}, to apply opprobrious epithets to; to call by
      reproachful appellations.

   {To take a name in vain}, to use a name lightly or profanely;
      to use a name in making flippant or dishonest oaths. --Ex.
      xx. 7.

   Syn: Appellation; title; designation; cognomen; denomination;
        epithet.

   Usage: {Name}, {Appellation}, {Title}, {Denomination}. Name
          is generic, denoting that combination of sounds or
          letters by which a person or thing is known and
          distinguished. Appellation, although sometimes put for
          name simply, denotes, more properly, a descriptive
          term, used by way of marking some individual
          peculiarity or characteristic; as, Charles the Bold,
          Philip the Stammerer. A title is a term employed to
          point out one's rank, office, etc.; as, the Duke of
          Bedford, Paul the Apostle, etc. Denomination is to
          particular bodies what appellation is to individuals;
          thus, the church of Christ is divided into different
          denominations, as Congregationalists, Episcopalians,
          Presbyterians, etc.
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