nomennominal

Nomennominal is a neologism used in linguistics and philosophy of language to describe a nominal expression that functions as a name but does not reliably refer to a specific, real-world entity in a given discourse. The term emphasizes the distinction between the syntactic category of a noun phrase and its semantic role as a referring expression.

Definition and use

In discussions of reference and meaning, nomennominal denotes a name or title that may be deployed for analytic purposes without guaranteeing a concrete denotation. Such expressions can appear in thought experiments, fictional analyses, or hypothetical scenarios where the purported referent is intentionally indeterminate, nonexistent, or contextually abstract. Nomennominals are distinct from ordinary proper names that point to identifiable entities; they can serve as placeholders, theoretical constructs, or labels whose referential extension is purposefully left unspecified.

Examples

A scientist might introduce a nomennominal like “Zyx” in a model to discuss properties of a hypothetical organism, treating it as a convenient label rather than a claim about a real creature. In a philosophical debate, “the omnipotent being” can be treated as a nomennominal when the discussion centers on the concept rather than on asserting the existence of a particular entity.

Etymology and status

The coinage combines nomen (name) with nominal, highlighting the tension between name-like form and referential content. It remains a niche term and is not widely standardized in major linguistic references. It is primarily used as a descriptive label to clarify discussions about non-referential or indeterminate names.

See also

Empty name, referential failure, placeholder name, fictional entities.