incognito

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   with one's identity concealed, especially to avoid attention or recognition

   The actor traveled incognito to escape the reporters.

2. 2
   adj

   having one's identity concealed or using an assumed character

   The incognito visitor signed the register under a false name.

Simplified etymology

Incognito entered English from Italian in the mid-17th century. It ultimately rests on Latin cognoscere, “to know,” and originally appeared chiefly in descriptions of royalty or dignitaries concealing their identities to avoid official recognition.

Borrowed from Italian incognito, from Latin incognitus, 'unknown,' formed from in-, 'not,' + cognitus, 'known,' the past participle of cognoscere. It entered English for a person traveling under a concealed identity.

Topics

External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary