Muammar Gaddafi
3
7.2
- proper noun
- /ˈmʊɑːmɑːr ɡəˈdɑːfi/
- The controversial leader, Muammar Gaddafi, ruled Libya for over 40 years.
Examples
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Muammar Gaddafi led Libya from 1969 until his overthrow in 2011, implementing policies that reflected his vision of socialism and Islamic governance.
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In 2011, a popular uprising led to the fall and death of Muammar Gaddafi.
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Muammar Gaddafi ruled Libya for more than four decades after taking power in a 1969 coup.
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The regime of Muammar Gaddafi was known for its authoritarian governance and controversial foreign policies.
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Did Muammar Gaddafi really believe in his vision for Libya?
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Following the Arab Spring, Muammar Gaddafi was ousted from power, marking a significant turning point in Libyan history.
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The rule of Muammar Gaddafi was characterized by a blend of socialism and strong authoritarianism that shaped Libya for decades.
Synonyms
32
7.7
A Libyan leader who ruled from 1969 to 2011
27
6.9
A Libyan military leader who ruled the country from 1969 to 2011 after a coup
1
8.3
A Libyan military and political leader who ruled Libya from 1969 to 2011
1
7.5
A Libyan leader who ruled the country from 1969 until 2011
1
8.8
A spelling of the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's name
1
8.8
A Libyan leader who came to power in a 1969 military coup and led the country until 2011
Surface Forms
Morphology
Muammar + Gaddafi
This is a referential proper name rather than a compositional phrase: the parts 'Muammar' (no lexical meaning listed) and 'Gaddafi' (a surname) do not combine to convey the biographical meaning. Proper names denote a specific individual and their history, which cannot be derived from the constituent words, so a B1 learner who only knows the parts would not understand the MWE's full meaning.
Etymology
Muammar Gaddafi was a Libyan army officer who led a 1969 coup and then ruled Libya for more than 40 years. Because he stayed in power so long and used harsh control, his name is often used in news and history to suggest 'long, authoritarian rule'.