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Glite Dictionary
Alexander Selkirk

Alexander Selkirk

1 9.0
A Scottish sailor left alone on an island near Chile for five years who inspired Robinson Crusoe
  • proper noun
: Alexander Selkirk
  • The experiences of Alexander Selkirk during his five years on a deserted island are legendary.

Examples

  • Historians believe Alexander Selkirk's ordeal inspired the character of Robinson Crusoe.

  • The adventures of Alexander Selkirk have fascinated readers for centuries.

  • After returning to England, Alexander Selkirk became a figure of public interest.

  • The story of Alexander Selkirk fascinated many readers.

  • Did you know that Alexander Selkirk was a real person?

  • Many believe that Alexander Selkirk's time spent alone inspired the famous novel 'Robinson Crusoe.'

  • The remarkable survival story of Alexander Selkirk continues to be told in literature and history classes.

Surface Forms

Alexander Selkirk main

Morphology

Alexander + Selkirk

This is a proper name identifying a historical person; knowing the constituent names 'Alexander' and 'Selkirk' (which are just a given name and a surname) gives no information about the biography or the specific event of being marooned. Proper names are referential rather than compositional, so their meanings are not derivable from the parts and would be unknown without prior exposure or explanation.

Etymology

Alexander Selkirk was a Scottish sailor who spent five years alone on a small island after being left there. His true story inspired Daniel Defoe's novel 'Robinson Crusoe', so his name now brings to mind a lone survivor or someone living alone on an island.