namedrop vs cite

namedrop is not a noun while cite is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
namedrop	No	No	Yes	No
cite	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, cite is a hypernym of namedrop; that is, cite is a word with a broader meaning than namedrop:

namedrop: refer to people that one assumes one's interlocutors admire in order to try to impress them
cite: make reference to

Other hypernyms of namedrop include advert, bring up, mention, name, refer.

namedrop (noun)	cite (noun)
	a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage

namedrop (verb)	cite (verb)
refer to people that one assumes one's interlocutors admire in order to try to impress them	make reference to
	commend
	repeat a passage from
	refer to for illustration or proof
	advance evidence for
	call in an official matter, such as to attend court
	refer to