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Glite Dictionary
Alessandro Cagliostro

Alessandro Cagliostro

9.9
An Italian adventurer who said he could do magic and is known for scandals
  • proper noun
: Alessandro Cagliostro
  • Many legends surround Alessandro Cagliostro and his so-called magical powers.

Examples

  • The trial of Alessandro Cagliostro captivated the public in 18th-century Europe.

  • Writers often use Alessandro Cagliostro as a symbol of mysticism and deception.

  • The notorious Alessandro Cagliostro was known for his extravagant lifestyle.

  • Did Alessandro Cagliostro really practice alchemy?

  • The trial of Alessandro Cagliostro captivated the public in 18th-century Europe.

  • Many legends surround Alessandro Cagliostro and his so-called magical powers.

  • Writers often use Alessandro Cagliostro as a symbol of mysticism and deception.

Surface Forms

Alessandro Cagliostro main

Morphology

Alessandro + Cagliostro

This is a personal name composed of proper nouns whose lexical content does not convey the descriptive meaning (Italian adventurer and self-styled magician). Knowing the constituent names provides no predictable information about his biography or activities, so a B1 learner could not infer the MWE's meaning from its parts.

Etymology

Alessandro Cagliostro was an 18th-century Italian showman who claimed to be a powerful magician and healer and who mixed real tricks with lies. Because he was linked to secret ceremonies and public scandals, writers now use his name to suggest 'mystery' or 'deception'.