Richard the Lion-Hearted
1
8.8
- proper noun
- Richard the Lion-Hearted became a legendary figure in English history for his role in the Crusades.
Examples
-
The exploits of Richard the Lion-Hearted are recounted in many medieval stories and ballads.
-
After being captured on his return from the Holy Land, Richard the Lion-Hearted was ransomed by his people.
-
Richard the Lion-Hearted was a famous king.
-
Did Richard the Lion-Hearted really lead the Crusades?
-
Richard the Lion-Hearted is remembered for his courage in battle during the Third Crusade.
-
Many stories tell of the heroic deeds of Richard the Lion-Hearted in his attempts to reclaim Jerusalem.
-
In the eyes of his subjects, Richard the Lion-Hearted was a symbol of bravery and chivalry.
Synonyms
1
7.4
A king of England from 1189 to 1199 who fought in the Third Crusade and was called the Lionheart
1
8.4
A king of England who led soldiers in the Third Crusade and is famous as a warrior
1
8.8
A King of England from 1189 to 1199 known for great bravery and for fighting in the Crusades
1
8.0
King of England from 1189 to 1199 who led armies in the Third Crusade and is called the Lionheart
Surface Forms
Morphology
Richard + the + Lion-Hearted
The epithet 'Lion-Hearted' is compositionally interpretable from 'lion' + 'hearted' as meaning 'brave' or 'courageous', and 'Richard the ...' signals a person with that epithet, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer it refers to a brave man named Richard. However, the full encyclopedic meaning (that this is the medieval King of England, dates, and historical deeds) is not recoverable from the words alone. Because the nickname is metaphorical but largely transparent while the specific referent is not derivable, the expression is best classified as semi-transparent.
Etymology
The name Richard the Lion-Hearted comes from stories about King Richard's great courage in battle. People said he had the 'heart of a lion' because he led soldiers in the Crusades, so the nickname shows he was very 'brave'.