incognito
adverb
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L333847 on Wikidata ↗adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L337608 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˌɪnkɒɡˈniːtoʊ/ / /ˌɪnˈkɒɡnɪtoʊ/
adj
Etymology: Borrowed from Italian incognito, from Latin incognitus (“unknown”), from in- (“not”) + cognitus (“known”), perfect passive participle of cognoscere.
- Without being known; in an assumed character, or under an assumed title; in disguise.
“THE Scepticks think 'twas long ago, / Since Gods came down Incognito; / To ſee who were their Friends or Foes, / And how our Actions fell or roſe.”
adv
Etymology: Borrowed from Italian incognito, from Latin incognitus (“unknown”), from in- (“not”) + cognitus (“known”), perfect passive participle of cognoscere.
- Without revealing one's identity.
“The prince royal of Prussia came thither incognito.”
“"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."”
noun
Etymology: Borrowed from Italian incognito, from Latin incognitus (“unknown”), from in- (“not”) + cognitus (“known”), perfect passive participle of cognoscere.
- One unknown or in disguise, or under an assumed character or name.
- The assumption of disguise or of a feigned character; the state of being in disguise or not recognized.
“Of those letters, and other attempts of the same kind, the author could not complain, though his incognito was endangered. He had challenged the public to a game at bo-peep, and if he was discovered in his “hiding-hole,” he must submit to the shame of detection.”
“It contained a letter from the King himself, craving hospitality for a few days, as his mother was about to visit England, and to take up with Lord Avonleigh her residence at the Castle. A slight incognito would be preserved, and as little form and ceremony expected as was possible.”