Alexis de Tocqueville
3
8.4
- proper noun
- /əˈlɛksɪs də ˈtɒkviːl/
- The works of Alexis de Tocqueville are essential for understanding American democracy.
Examples
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Many scholars reference Alexis de Tocqueville when discussing the origins of American democracy.
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The ideas of Alexis de Tocqueville continue to influence political thought today.
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In his travels across America, Alexis de Tocqueville observed the nation's evolving social structures.
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Did Alexis de Tocqueville predict the rise of individualism in America?
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In his travels across America, Alexis de Tocqueville observed the nation's evolving social structures.
-
Many scholars reference Alexis de Tocqueville when discussing the origins of American democracy.
-
The ideas of Alexis de Tocqueville continue to influence political thought today.
Synonyms
8
9.4
A French writer who studied American democracy and society
Surface Forms
Morphology
Alexis + de + Tocqueville
This is a proper name referring to a specific historical person; knowing the parts 'Alexis', 'de', and 'Tocqueville' does not allow a learner to infer the biographical meaning (French political writer and historian). Although 'de' may suggest a French origin, that clue does not yield the MWE's semantic role or historical information, so the expression is not compositionally transparent.
Etymology
Alexis de Tocqueville was a French writer who traveled across the United States in the 1830s and carefully wrote down what he saw in towns, courts, and everyday life. His clear pictures helped people understand how 'democracy' worked, so his name now stands for an important early study of American society.