workname

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From work +‎ name.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

workname (plural worknames)

  1. The alias used by someone involved in secret espionage or intelligence work.
    • 1979, John Le Carré, Smiley's People, Folio Society, published 2010, page 256:
      ‘I made the acquaintance of the head of the independent Thirteenth Intelligence Directorate, subordinated to the Party's Central Committee, who is known throughout Centre only by his workname Karla.’