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Glite Dictionary
Alfred the Great

Alfred the Great

7.5
King in southern England who defended the country from Viking attacks and helped people write in English
  • proper noun
translation icon : Alfred el Grande
  • The legacy of Alfred the Great continues to influence British history and identity.

Examples

  • Alfred the Great is remembered for uniting much of England and setting foundations for the English monarchy.

  • Many historians credit Alfred the Great with the revival of learning and literacy in Anglo-Saxon England.

  • Alfred the Great was a wise ruler who fought against the Vikings.

  • Did Alfred the Great really promote the English language?

  • Alfred the Great was known for his success in defending England against Viking invasions.

  • As King of Wessex, Alfred the Great played a crucial role in promoting the use of English in writing.

  • During his reign, Alfred the Great implemented important reforms that strengthened his kingdom.

Synonyms

Alfred
vsAlfred the Great
162 6.7

King of Wessex who defended England from Viking attacks and promoted English writing

uses a formal title that adds an honorary phrase

Surface Forms

Alfred the Great main

Morphology

Alfred + the + great

The epithet 'the Great' transparently signals a distinguished or famous person, so a learner who knows 'Alfred' as a name and 'great' as 'distinguished' can infer this refers to a notable Alfred. However, the specific historical identity and details (king of Wessex, dates, actions) are world-knowledge and not derivable from the words alone, so the expression is only partially predictable.

Etymology

The name Alfred the Great may come from his time as king when he defended his kingdom against Viking attacks and worked to bring back learning and English writing. People began to call him the Great because of these big deeds, so the name reminds us that he was an important and successful ruler.