incognito

English

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˌɪnkɒɡˈniːtoʊ/

Etymology

From Latin incognitus (“unknown”), from in- (“not”) + cognitus (“known”), perfect passive participle of cognoscere via Italian incognito.

Adjective

incognito (not comparable)

1. Without being known; in disguise; in an assumed character, or under an assumed title.
   • 1891, Arthur Conan Doyle, A Scandal In Bohemia:

     "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, “you can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting you.”

Usage notes

This term is said especially of great personages who sometimes adopt a disguise or an assumed character in order to avoid notice.

Quotations

• 'Twas long ago/Since gods come down incognito. —Prior.
• The prince royal of Persia came thither incognito. —Tatler.

Translations

Without being known; in disguise; in an assumed character, or under an assumed title

Dutch: incognito (nl) Finnish: tuntematon (fi)

Icelandic: huldu höfði (is) Russian: инкогнито (ru) (inkógnito) Swedish: inkognito (sv)

Adverb

incognito (not comparable)

1. Without revealing one's identity.

Translations

without revealing one's identity

Dutch: incognito (nl) Finnish: tuntemattomana, nimettömästi

Icelandic: huldu höfði (is), undir dulnefni (is), undir fölsku nafni (is) Russian: инкогнито (ru) (inkógnito)

Noun

incognito (plural incognitos)

1. One unknown or in disguise, or under an assumed character or name.
2. The assumption of disguise or of a feigned character; the state of being in disguise or not recognized.

Quotations

• His incognito was endangered. —Sir W. Scott.

Anagrams

• cognition

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French

Etymology

From Italian

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɛ̃.kɔ.ɲi.to/

Adjective

incognito

1. incognito

Adverb

incognito (epicene, plural incognitos)

1. incognito

Noun

incognito m. (plural incognitos)

1. incognito

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Italian

Adjective

incognito m. (f. incognita, m plural incogniti, f plural incognite)

1. unknown

Noun

incognito m. (plural incogniti)

1. incognito

Related terms

• incognita

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Latin

Adjective

incognitō

1. dative masculine singular of incognitus
2. dative neuter singular of incognitus
3. ablative masculine singular of incognitus
4. ablative neuter singular of incognitus