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Glite Dictionary
🕵️ A secret name 🕵️ To give secret name
codename

codename

6 5.7
A secret name used for a person, project, or operation
  • noun
  • /ˈkoʊdˌneɪm/
translation icon : nombre en clave
  • The project's codename was Lily, and almost no one knew, including the video directors, about the album's release date or scope.
  • codename Project
  • Operation Overlord
  • codename handler

Examples

  • As you know, 72 hours ago, a secret weapons system - codename GoldenEye - was detonated over Severnaya.

    GoldenEye (1995)

  • Today, you will be flying a joint operation over Nairobi, Kenya, codename Operation Egret.

    Eye in the Sky (2015)

  • My theory is that 1952 is a codename for Star Wars episodes 7, 8, and 9.

    Blog text (22)

  • We don't even know his codename, much less how to get in touch with him.

    The Soldier (1982)

  • So the first special access program was at that time codenamed Royal Cape.

  • In September, 1944, Montgomery devised a new and spectacular plan given the codename Market Garden.

    A Bridge Too Far (1977)

  • KSM didn't know the name of the courier, but knew his codename.

    Blog text (10)

  • 5) The actual criminal investigation into the Savile claims is being conducted by Scotland Yard under the codename Operation Yewtree.

    Blog text (2)

  • In the intelligence community, agents often use a codename to protect their true identities.

  • The project was assigned a codename to keep it confidential from the public.

Synonyms

cryptonym
vscodename
1 9.9

A secret name used to hide a person's identity or a project's purpose

is a broad secret name used to refer to people, projects, or operations
codeword
vscodename
7.5

A word or phrase that gives a secret signal to a group

is used as a secret identifier for people, projects, or operations

How Secret

codename
6 5.7
false name
9 3.9
alias
64 7.0

Surface Forms

codename singular
codenames plural

Morphology

codename = code + name (transparent) = code + name

The meaning is the direct combination of 'code' (secret system) + 'name' (name), yielding 'a secret name', which learners can readily infer.

Etymology

The word codename comes from the familiar words code ('secret set of signs') and name ('label'). So a codename is literally a 'secret name' used to hide the true name of a person, project, or operation.