名乗る used as a transitive verb


What does 名乗る mean when used with the particle を, as in this sentence?

風評は目撃者を名乗る

I can only seem to find the intransitive on internet dictionaries.




名乗る can be used more often than not as a transitive / reflexive verb.

For example:

  * 彼は弁護士を名乗る  
He calls himself a lawyer.

  * 菅原と名乗る人  
a person called Sugahara

  * 援助者と名乗る詐欺漢  
a swindle who calls himself an aid

However, 風評は目撃者を名乗る doesn't make sense unless it is followed by words or a
phrase that complement the sentence.




名乗る can be used more often than not as a transitive / reflexive verb.

For example:

  * 彼は弁護士を名乗る  
He calls himself a lawyer.

  * 菅原と名乗る人  
a person called Sugahara

  * 援助者と名乗る詐欺漢  
a swindle who calls himself an aid

However, 風評は目撃者を名乗る doesn't make sense unless it is followed by words or a
phrase that complement the sentence.

