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 of the ...

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 comm ...

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 classi ...

, 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 and

academic degree An academic degree is a qualification awarded to students upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, usually at a college or university. These institutions commonly offer degrees at various levels, usually including unde ...

s from the

University of Exeter The University of Exeter is a public university , public research university in Exeter, Devon, England, United Kingdom. Its predecessor institutions, St Luke's College, Exeter School of Science, Exeter School of Art, and the Camborne School of Min ...

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 , mottoeng = The Lord is my light , established = , endowment = £6.1 billion (including colleges) (2019) , budget = £2.145 billion (2019–20) , chancellor ...

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