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Glite Dictionary
🇪🇸 Spanish king 🏺 Macedonian king 🇫🇷 French king
Philip II

Philip II

1 7.1
King of Spain who ruled a large empire and sent the Spanish Armada to attack England
  • proper noun
: Felipe II
  • Many people remember Philip II for sending the Spanish Armada to try to conquer England.

Examples

  • The defeat of the Spanish Armada marked a turning point in Philip II's ambitions.

  • Philip II ruled over Spain during a period of great imperial expansion.

  • Many historians regard Philip II as one of the most powerful monarchs of the 16th century.

  • King Philip II ruled during a turbulent time in European history.

  • Did Philip II really send the Spanish Armada to invade England?

  • Philip II was known for his efforts to strengthen Catholicism in Europe during his reign.

  • Historians often debate the impact of Philip II on the politics of the 16th century.

Surface Forms

Philip II main

Morphology

Philip + II

The constituent 'II' clearly signals 'the second', so a learner who knows 'Philip' as a name and Roman numerals can derive that this refers to 'Philip the Second' (a person). However, the detailed historical identity (King of ancient Macedonia, father of Alexander) is encyclopedic and cannot be inferred from the name plus numeral alone, so only partial meaning is recoverable without prior world knowledge.

Etymology

Philip II of Spain is remembered as a powerful king who sent a huge fleet, the Spanish Armada, and tried to make his kingdoms follow one religion. Imagining him sending ships across the sea to fight for his beliefs helps explain why he is known for strong imperial power and religious aims.