Captain Horatio Hornblower

9.3

A fictional English navy officer who becomes an admiral during the Napoleonic Wars

proper noun

Literature

: Capitán Horatio Hornblower

The novels featuring Captain Horatio Hornblower portray the challenges of naval warfare during the Napoleonic era.

Examples

Many readers admire Captain Horatio Hornblower for his intelligence and bravery at sea.
C. S. Forester’s creation, Captain Horatio Hornblower, has inspired several film and television adaptations.
In the novels, Captain Horatio Hornblower faces numerous challenges at sea.
Captain Horatio Hornblower is known for his strategic brilliance.
C. S. Forester’s creation, Captain Horatio Hornblower, has inspired several film and television adaptations.
Many readers admire Captain Horatio Hornblower for his intelligence and bravery at sea.
The novels featuring Captain Horatio Hornblower portray the challenges of naval warfare during the Napoleonic era.

Synonyms

Horatio Hornblower

vsCaptain Horatio Hornblower

9.9

A fictional English navy officer who becomes an admiral during the Napoleonic Wars in novels by C. S. Forester

is the same character but named by rank rather than by personal name

Surface Forms

Captain Horatio Hornblower main

Morphology

captain + Horatio + Hornblower

The phrase pairs the clear, compositional noun 'captain' with a personal name; a B1 learner who knows 'captain' will readily infer this refers to a person holding that rank (likely in charge of a ship). Proper names (Horatio Hornblower) function as labels and do not obscure the occupational meaning, though the learner would not deduce specific biographical or fictional status from the name alone.

Etymology

Captain Horatio Hornblower is a 'fictional' English navy officer created by C. S. Forester for a series of adventure novels. The surname Hornblower makes you picture someone blowing a horn to give orders on deck, a clear image that helps you remember he is a brave sea captain.