Hugh Capet
- proper noun
- After the death of the last Carolingian king, Hugh Capet was elected king of France in 987.
Examples
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The reign of Hugh Capet marked the beginning of the Capetian dynasty.
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Hugh Capet established the Capetian dynasty, which would rule France for centuries.
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Many historians regard Hugh Capet's reign as a turning point in French history.
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Long live Hugh Capet!
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Hugh Capet was the first king of France from the Capetian dynasty, reigning from 987 to 996.
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After being elected king in 987, Hugh Capet laid the foundation for a strong French monarchy.
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Hugh Capet is often credited with uniting many of the fragmented territories of France during his reign.
Synonyms
A French king elected in 987 who started a new royal family
Surface Forms
Morphology
Hugh + Capet
This is a proper name referring to a specific historical person; its meaning (that he was King of France and founder of the Capetian dynasty) is referential and cannot be compositionally derived from the constituent names 'Hugh' and 'Capet'. A B1 learner who knows the words as names would not be able to infer the historical role or facts without prior exposure, so the expression is opaque.
Etymology
Hugh Capet may have a name that comes from an old word for a small 'cape' or 'hood'. One popular story says an ancestor who wore such a hood was nicknamed Capet, and that name became the family name for later kings, so Hugh Capet is remembered as the man who began the Capetian line.