Dag Hammarskjold

1 8.8

A Swedish diplomat who led the United Nations and helped start its peacekeeping work

proper noun

: Dag Hammarskjöld

Many historians credit Dag Hammarskjold with shaping modern peacekeeping methods.

Examples

The legacy of Dag Hammarskjold continues to influence the work of the United Nations today.
Dag Hammarskjold was widely respected for his dedication to international peace and cooperation.
The legacy of Dag Hammarskjold continues to inspire diplomats today.
Did Dag Hammarskjold really believe in the power of diplomacy?
Dag Hammarskjold was a key figure in promoting international diplomacy during his time as Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Many credit Dag Hammarskjold for significantly improving the United Nations' peacekeeping operations.
Dag Hammarskjold played a vital role in addressing global conflicts through diplomatic efforts.

Surface Forms

Dag Hammarskjold main

Morphology

Dag + Hammarskjold

This is a proper name referring to a specific person; the biographical meaning (Swedish diplomat, UN Secretary‑General) is world knowledge rather than a compositional meaning derived from its parts. The constituents 'Dag' and 'Hammarskjold' are not ordinary English lexical items that would cue this referent, so a B1 learner knowing the parts would not be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Dag Hammarskjold belongs to a Swedish diplomat who led the United Nations in the 1950s and helped build 'peacekeeping' missions around the world. He died in a plane crash in 1961 while on a mission, so his name now brings to mind brave, careful work for peace.