Adlai Stevenson II

7.9

An American politician who ran for president twice and served as ambassador to the United Nations

proper noun
/ˈædleɪ ˈstɛvənsən tuː/

: Adlai Stevenson II

Adlai Stevenson II was twice the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in the 1950s.

Examples

As ambassador to the United Nations, Adlai Stevenson II played a crucial role during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Many historians admire the eloquence and integrity of Adlai Stevenson II throughout his political career.
Adlai Stevenson II was a prominent figure in American politics.
Did Adlai Stevenson II ever win the presidency?
Adlai Stevenson II was twice the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in the 1950s.
As ambassador to the United Nations, Adlai Stevenson II played a crucial role during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Many historians admire the eloquence and integrity of Adlai Stevenson II throughout his political career.

Synonyms

Adlai Ewing Stevenson

vsAdlai Stevenson II

1 8.9

An American politician and diplomat who ran for president twice and served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations

is the same biography but presented under a different name variant

Surface Forms

Adlai Stevenson II main

Morphology

Adlai + Stevenson + II

This is a proper name composed of two personal names plus a Roman numeral; knowing the parts (or that II means 'the second') does not convey the biographical information (American politician, diplomat, presidential nominee). Proper names are referential and largely arbitrary across languages, so their full meaning/identity cannot be derived from constituent words alone.

Etymology

Adlai Stevenson II was a U.S. politician known for calm, thoughtful speeches and for speaking firmly at the United Nations during a tense crisis with the Soviet Union. He ran for 'president' twice in the 1950s and later served as ambassador to the UN, so his name now reminds people of a principled, thoughtful public leader.