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Glite Dictionary
Cosimo the Elder

Cosimo the Elder

9.9
An Italian banker and political leader who helped build Medici power in Florence and supported artists
  • proper noun
: Cosimo el Viejo
  • Cosimo the Elder laid the foundation for Medici power in Florence through his political savvy and patronage.

Examples

  • The art and architecture of Renaissance Florence flourished under Cosimo the Elder's guidance and support.

  • Historians consider Cosimo the Elder one of the most influential figures in Italian Renaissance history.

  • Cosimo the Elder was a pivotal figure in Renaissance Florence.

  • Did Cosimo the Elder influence the arts in Florence?

  • Cosimo the Elder laid the foundation for Medici power in Florence through his political savvy and patronage.

  • Historians consider Cosimo the Elder one of the most influential figures in Italian Renaissance history.

  • The art and architecture of Renaissance Florence flourished under Cosimo the Elder's guidance and support.

Synonyms

Cosimo de Medici
vsCosimo the Elder
1 8.2

An Italian banker and statesman who supported artists and helped make Florence a center of the Renaissance

is about acting as an influential financier rather than directly founding family power
Cosimo de' Medici
vsCosimo the Elder
9.9

An Italian banker and political leader in Florence known for supporting artists during the Renaissance

is described as playing a key role rather than founding the dynasty

Surface Forms

Cosimo the Elder main

Morphology

Cosimo + the + elder

This is a proper name plus an epithet: a B1 learner who knows 'the' and 'elder' will understand that it identifies an older person named Cosimo (distinguishing him from a younger namesake). However, the specific historical identity and biographical meaning (Italian statesman/financier of the Renaissance) cannot be derived from the constituents, so the expression is only partly transparent.

Etymology

Cosimo the Elder was Cosimo de' Medici, the older leader who quietly built the Medici family's power in Florence. He used his money to support artists and architects, so calling him 'the founder' helps learners remember he was a calm family head and a great 'supporter of the Renaissance'.