British Commonwealth
2
3.9
- noun
:
Mancomunidad británica
- The British Commonwealth is very keen on common law, and in it is the law of precedence.
OK, in principle France, the UK and the British Commonwealth are united against the Soviet threat, but each Western Power has its own priorities.
- OK, in principle France, the UK and the British Commonwealth are united against the Soviet threat, but each Western Power has its own priorities.
Examples
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Australia remains a member of the British Commonwealth, fostering strong ties with the United Kingdom.
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He sought to redefine the relationship between the United Kingdom and her colonies, helping to establish the British Commonwealth, as it was known at the time.
Blog text (18) -
To assist at the birth of an independent India... and to welcome her as an equal member... in the British Commonwealth of Nations.
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Once independent, Nigeria would remain part of the British Commonwealth.
Academic text (2007) -
The divergence between the United States and the British Commonwealth became especially pronounced during the 1980s and 1990s.
Academic text (2007) -
They remained within the British Commonwealth, explicitly acknowledging their links to and affection for England.
Academic text (1998) -
Since both Canada and St. Kitts are part of the British Commonwealth, he’d explained, I would have easy access to my money if anything happened in America.
Blog text (34) -
Diefenbaker viewed the United States—and indeed the world—in the context of his affection for and devotion to the British Commonwealth.
Academic text (1998) -
After gaining independence, many nations chose to stay in the British Commonwealth to honor their historical ties.
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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became a republic in 1979 but continues to be part of the British Commonwealth.
Synonyms
166
6.6
A group of independent countries that work together and share history
A group of independent countries, many once ruled by Britain, that work together on shared issues
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'commonwealth' denotes an association of countries and 'British' specifies that this association is linked to Britain, so a learner who knows both words can infer an association of Britain and related countries. While there are historical and political nuances to the proper name, the core sense is transparent and follows normal modifier + noun composition familiar across languages.
Etymology
British Commonwealth may come from the image of a group of countries tied to British history, like a club where former colonies keep friendly links with Britain. Because these countries share history and have the British king or queen as a symbolic leader, the phrase means 'an association of the United Kingdom and its former colonies'.