Alice B. Toklas

1 9.1

An American writer who lived with Gertrude Stein and wrote a famous book about her life

proper noun
/ˈælɪs bi ˈtoʊkləs/

: Alice B. Toklas

Did you know that Alice B. Toklas was Gertrude Stein's partner?

Examples

Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas were central figures in Paris's literary community.
The famous writer Alice B. Toklas published her memoir in 1963.
Many found Alice B. Toklas's cookbook both charming and innovative.
The autobiography of Alice B. Toklas is an important work in modernist literature.
Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas were central figures in Paris's literary community.
The autobiography of Alice B. Toklas is an important work in modernist literature.
Many found Alice B. Toklas's cookbook both charming and innovative.

Surface Forms

Alice B. Toklas main

Morphology

Alice + B. + Toklas

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical person, so the meaning (American writer and companion of Gertrude Stein) is encyclopedic and not derivable from the name's constituent tokens. Knowing the parts 'Alice', 'B.' and 'Toklas' gives no predictable clue to her identity or role, so learners would need prior cultural/biographical knowledge.

Etymology

Alice B. Toklas was an American writer who lived for many years in Paris as the close companion of Gertrude Stein. She became famous for her memoir and a popular cookbook with unusual recipes, so her name now reminds people of a 'writer' and an important figure in modern literature.