Definition of: nickname

(nik′nām′) noun
1. A familiar name, sometimes a diminutive, as Tom for Thomas.
2. A descriptive or facetious name given to a person, place, or thing in derision, affection, or acclaim, as Longshanks, Honest Abe, Empire State, etc.
—v.t. ·named, ·nam·ing
1. To give a nickname to.
2. To misname. [ME ekename a surname; later an ekename was taken as a nickname]