Basil the Great
- proper noun
:
San Basilio el Grande
- The writings of Basil the Great had a lasting impact on Christian theology.
Examples
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Basil the Great is respected as a Doctor of the Church in Roman Catholic tradition.
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Many churches celebrate the feast day of Basil the Great on January 2nd.
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Did you know Basil the Great?
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Basil the Great was a significant figure.
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Basil the Great is recognized for his contributions to early Christian theology in the 4th century.
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The teachings of Basil the Great continue to influence Christian beliefs today.
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In many Christian denominations, Basil the Great is celebrated for his defense of the faith against heresies.
Synonyms
A 4th-century bishop and teacher who defends main Christian beliefs and is honored as a saint
A Christian bishop from the 300s who helped the poor and wrote about faith
A 4th-century bishop of Caesarea who defends Christian teaching and is a saint
Surface Forms
Morphology
Basil + the + great
This is a proper name with the epithet 'the Great' meaning a distinguished or historically important person. While a learner who knows 'great' can infer a positive/important sense, understanding it as a conventional honorific attached to a historical figure requires cultural/historical knowledge, so the link is only partially predictable.
Etymology
Basil the Great comes from his role as a bishop and teacher in the early Christian church. People called him 'the Great' because he defended the church's beliefs and wrote important books, so the title shows respect.
