Exoniensis (usually abbreviated Exon.) is the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power ...

adjectival form of ''Exonia'', the Latin name for the city of

Exeter Exeter () is a city in Devon, South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately northeast of Plymouth and southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter was established as the base of Legio II Augusta under the personal c ...

in Devon, England. It therefore means "of Exeter".

Latin source

The Latin noun ''Exonia'' has as its genitive form ''Exoniae'', meaning "of Exeter", which may also be expressed by the adjective ''Exoniensis'', also meaning "of Exeter", which declines like ''tristis, triste'', "sad".Cassell's Latin Dictionary The usage may be compared with the common usage in Classical Latin literature of ''Carthago'', genitive ''Carthaginis'', the city of

Carthage Carthage was the capital city of Ancient Carthage, on the eastern side of the Lake of Tunis in what is now Tunisia. Carthage was one of the most important trading hubs of the Ancient Mediterranean and one of the most affluent cities of the clas ...

, with its adjectival form ''Carthaginiensis''.

Usage

It is thus used in the modern age in formal ecclesiastical and academic Latin contexts, most commonly as the

post-nominal Post-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials, post-nominal titles, designatory letters or simply post-nominals, are letters placed after a person's name to indicate that the individual holds a position, academic degree, accreditation, ...

suffix given to

honorary An honorary position is one given as an honor, with no duties attached, and without payment. Other uses include: * Honorary Academy Award, by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, United States * Honorary Aryan, a status in Nazi Germany ...

and academic degrees from the

University of Exeter , mottoeng = "We Follow the Light" , established = 1838 - St Luke's College1855 - Exeter School of Art1863 - Exeter School of Science 1955 - University of Exeter (received royal charter) , type = Public , ...

and of even more ancient origin as the official signature of the

Bishop of Exeter The Bishop of Exeter is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. Since 30 April 2014 the ordinary has been Robert Atwell.

, who signs with his Christian or forename followed by the word ''Exon.'' In this way, it is comparable with "Oxon.", abbreviated from ''Oxoniensis'', referring to the

University of Oxford The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. There is evidence of teaching as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's second-oldest university in contin ...

and "Cantab.", abbreviated from ''Cantabrigiensis'', for

University of Cambridge , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

. A graduate of the University of Exeter is called an "Exonian", a mixture of the Latin noun with an English adjectival word ending, although other institutions, such as

Phillips Exeter Academy (not for oneself) la, Finis Origine Pendet (The End Depends Upon the Beginning) gr, Χάριτι Θεοῦ (By the Grace of God) , location = 20 Main Street , city = Exeter, New Hampshire , zipcode ...

, also use this term.

References

{{University of Exeter University of Exeter Exeter