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Glite Dictionary
St Mihiel

St Mihiel

9.9
A major World War I battle in 1918 where American troops launched their first large attack in France
  • proper noun
  • /seɪnt mɪˈhɛl/
translation icon : St Mihiel
  • The Battle of St Mihiel marked a turning point for American forces in World War I.

Examples

  • The Battle of St Mihiel was significant for marking the first major American offensive in World War I.

  • My great-grandfather fought at St Mihiel as part of the American Expeditionary Forces.

  • Historians often study St Mihiel to understand the development of U.S. military strategy.

  • The battle of St Mihiel was a turning point for American forces.

  • Did you know that St Mihiel marked the first major American offensive in World War I?

  • My grandfather detailed his experiences fighting in the historic battle of St Mihiel during the war.

  • Many Americans are unaware that St Mihiel was one of the first battles fought by U.S. troops in France.

Synonyms

Battle of St Mihiel
vsSt Mihiel
8.3

A major World War I battle in France in 1918 where American troops made their first independent attack

uses the shorter place-name form rather than the full phrase
Battle of Saint-Mihiel
vsSt Mihiel
8.3

A major World War I attack in France in 1918 led by American forces

uses the abbreviated place-name form without saint spelling
Saint-Mihiel
vsSt Mihiel
9.9

A major World War I battle in France in 1918 where American troops made their first large attack

is the shorter abbreviated place-name form used as a label

Surface Forms

St Mihiel main

Morphology

St + Mihiel

This is a proper name for a specific WWI battle; knowing 'St' (Saint) and the place-name 'Mihiel' does not let a B1 learner infer that it refers to a military engagement in 1918. Named historical events are non-compositional and their meanings are not derivable from the constituent words, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

St Mihiel comes from the name of a small French town that was itself named for Saint Michael. So when people say St Mihiel they mean the 'battle' fought near that town in 1918, when American troops made their first big attack in France.