King C. Gillette

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An American inventor who made the safety razor and started a shaving company

proper noun
/kɪŋ si dʒɪˈlɛt/

: King C. Gillette

King C. Gillette invented the safety razor, which made shaving easier and safer for millions.

Examples

King C. Gillette revolutionized shaving by inventing the safety razor.
The company founded by King C. Gillette is now a household name worldwide.
Few people know that King C. Gillette originally worked as a traveling salesman before his fame as an inventor.
I admire King C. Gillette!
King C. Gillette is famous.
The innovations of King C. Gillette set a new standard in grooming products for men.
King C. Gillette was a key figure in the development of modern shaving techniques.

Surface Forms

King C. Gillette main

Morphology

king + C. + Gillette

This is a personal name (a proper noun) rather than a compositional phrase: knowing 'king' (a sovereign) plus the initial 'C.' and the surname 'Gillette' does not allow a learner to infer the referent is an inventor or manufacturer. Proper names are arbitrary and language-specific, so the meaning cannot be derived from the constituent words.

Etymology

King C. Gillette was an American salesman who wanted a safer way to shave and invented the replaceable-blade 'safety razor'. His last name became the brand, so today King C. Gillette makes people think of razors and shaving.