badge

Meaning

1. A distinctive mark, token, sign, emblem or cognizance, worn on one’s clothing, as an insignia of some rank, or of the membership of an organization.
2. A small nameplate, identifying the wearer, and often giving additional information.
3. A card, sometimes with a barcode or magnetic strip, granting access to a certain area.
4. Something characteristic; a mark; a token.
5. (obsolete) A brand on the hand of a thief, etc.
6. A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one.
7. A distinctive mark worn by servants, retainers, and followers of royalty or nobility, who, being beneath the rank of gentlemen, have no right to armorial bearings.
8. A small overlay on an icon that shows additional information about that item, such as the number of new alerts or messages.
9. An icon or emblem awarded to a user for some achievement.
10. (slang) A police officer.

insignia

emblem

metal plate

name-plate

insignia of rank

number-plate

character-istic

guide mark

distinguishing mark

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bæd͡ʒ/

From Middle English badge, bagge, bage, bagy, from Anglo-Norman bage or Medieval Latin bagea, bagia (“sign, emblem”), of uncertain origin. Possibly derived from Medieval Latin baga (“ring”), from Old Saxon bāg, bōg (“ring, ornament”), from Proto-Germanic *baugaz (“ring, bracelet, armband”); or possibly the Anglo-Norman word is derived from an earlier, unattested English word (compare Old English bēag (“ring, bracelet, collar, crown”). Cognate with Scots bagie, badgie, bawgy (“badge”).

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