Santiago Ramón y Cajal

9.1

A Spanish scientist who studied the brain and nerves and discovered how neurons work

proper noun

: Santiago Ramón y Cajal

The discoveries of Santiago Ramón y Cajal revolutionized our understanding of neurons and brain function.

Examples

In 1906, Santiago Ramón y Cajal was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Many medical schools teach students about the contributions of Santiago Ramón y Cajal to neuroscience.
I admire Santiago Ramón y Cajal!
Did you know Santiago Ramón y Cajal won a Nobel Prize?
In 1906, Santiago Ramón y Cajal was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Many medical schools teach students about the contributions of Santiago Ramón y Cajal to neuroscience.
The discoveries of Santiago Ramón y Cajal revolutionized our understanding of neurons and brain function.

Synonyms

Ramon y Cajal

vsSantiago Ramón y Cajal

1 9.9

Spanish scientist who studied the brain and nerves

is the same person but uses the fuller personal name form

Surface Forms

Santiago Ramón y Cajal main

Morphology

Santiago + Ramón + y + Cajal

This is a personal name (a proper noun); knowing the constituent names and the Spanish conjunction 'y' does not allow a learner to infer the biographical information that this person was a Spanish histologist and neuroscientist. Proper names are referential and idiosyncratic rather than compositionally meaningful, so the overall referent and biography are not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Santiago Ramón y Cajal was a Spanish doctor who looked closely at the brain and made detailed drawings of single brain cells. Because his pictures showed that brain cells are separate and how they connect, people call him the 'father of modern brain science'.