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Glite Dictionary
Charles the Great

Charles the Great

1 7.9
King of the Franks who became Holy Roman Emperor and united much of western and central Europe
  • proper noun
: Carlomagno
  • Charles the Great expanded his empire across much of Western Europe during his reign.

Examples

  • The coronation of Charles the Great as Holy Roman Emperor marked a significant moment in history.

  • Historians often credit Charles the Great with laying the foundations for modern Europe.

  • Did Charles the Great really exist?

  • Many historians regard Charles the Great as a pivotal figure in European history.

  • Charles the Great expanded his empire across much of Western Europe during his reign.

  • Historians often credit Charles the Great with laying the foundations for modern Europe.

  • The coronation of Charles the Great as Holy Roman Emperor marked a significant moment in history.

Synonyms

Charlemagne
vsCharles the Great
6 8.8

A king in the Middle Ages known for uniting much of western and central Europe and becoming emperor

has identical historical sense but uses a different personal name
Charles I
vsCharles the Great
7.5

King who united much of Western Europe and became Holy Roman Emperor in the early Middle Ages

is the same figure but given a regnal number instead of the other name

Surface Forms

Charles the Great main

Morphology

Charles + the + great

The epithet pattern 'Name the Adjective' is compositional: a learner who knows 'Charles' is a personal name and 'great' means distinguished or important will readily infer this refers to a Charles who was notable. While the exact historical role (king/emperor) requires background knowledge, the basic sense 'an important/distinguished Charles' is transparently derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Charles the Great was a king who united many lands and helped bring back schools and stronger laws, so people called him the Great to show he was an important and powerful ruler.