Battle of the Boyne
1
8.8
- noun
- /ˈbætəl əv ðə bɔɪn/
- The conflict at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 helped shape the future of British rule in Ireland.
Examples
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Many historians consider the Battle of the Boyne a turning point in Irish politics.
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He lost an eye at the Battle of the Boyne.
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The Battle of the Boyne was a significant event in the history of Ireland.
Synonyms
1
9.8
A 1690 battle by the River Boyne in Ireland where William III defeated James II
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is fully compositional: 'battle' + 'of the' + 'Boyne' denotes a battle that took place at the Boyne (a place name). A B1 learner who knows 'battle' and recognizes 'Boyne' as a location can infer it refers to a historical military engagement even if they do not know the specific date or participants; the 'Battle of X' naming pattern is cross-linguistically common.
Etymology
Battle of the Boyne is the name of the 1690 fight near the River Boyne where William III beat James II, and because it changed who had power many people still remember and mark its anniversary. So today the name often stands for a big, history-changing victory.