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Glite Dictionary
Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison

2.4
An American inventor who made the record player, a practical light bulb, and early movie cameras
  • proper noun
  • /ˈtɑːməs ˈɛdɪsən/
translation icon : Thomas Edison
  • Thomas Edison developed the incandescent light bulb, changing the way we illuminate our homes.

Well, one of them is to act before you are ready, which Thomas Edison did.

Examples

  • Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, which was one of his most famous creations.

  • Many consider Thomas Edison to be one of the greatest inventors in American history.

  • At first they all worked with Thomas Edison's direct current system, DC for short.

Synonyms

Edison
vsThomas Edison
70 3.4

An American inventor who made many electrical devices

is the full given name of that inventor rather than the surname alone

Surface Forms

Thomas Edison main

Morphology

Thomas + Edison

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical person; the meaning (the inventor Thomas Edison) is not compositionally derived from the constituents 'Thomas' and 'Edison'. Recognizing who this refers to requires cultural or encyclopedic knowledge rather than knowing the literal meanings of the parts, so it is not predictable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Thomas Edison was a real inventor in the 1800s who filled a workshop with experiments until he made a useful light bulb, the phonograph, and early movie machines. Because he turned many ideas into real products, people use his name when they mean 'a famous inventor' or someone who invents things.