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3. in the name of

in the name of

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in the name of something

also in something's name

in order to do or become something In the name of being cool and serious, people miss out on a lot of enjoyable stuff. Are we willing to be worked to death in the name of competition?

See also: name, of

in the name of something

if bad things are done in the name of something, they are done in order to help that thing succeed When you think about the atrocities that have been committed in the name of religion, you start to wonder what it's all about.

See also: name, of

in the name of

1. By the authority of, as in Open up, in the name of the law! [Late 1300s]

2. On behalf of, as in She made a donation in her daughter's name. [Late 1300s]

3. in God's or heaven's name ; in the name of God or heaven . With appeal to, as in In the name of God, stop that noise! or What in heaven's name are you doing? [c. a.d. 900]

4. Under the designation of, as in They burned witches at the stake in the name of piety. [Late 1300s]

5. Under the possession or ownership of, as in The certificate of ownership was rightfully in my name. [Mid-1900s]

6. in one's own name. On one's own behalf, as in Mary signed the check for John in her own name. [Late 1800s]

See also: name, of

in the name of

1. By the authority of: Open up in the name of the law!

2. For the reason of; using as a reason: grisly experiments performed in the name of science.

See also: name, of