George IV
1
7.1
- proper noun
- George IV ruled the United Kingdom from 1820 to 1830 and is often remembered for his extravagant court.
Examples
-
Here, I turn to Ian Duncan's reading of the Royal Jaunt of 1822, in which King George IV visited Scotland amid bombastic fanfare and elaborate ceremony masterminded by Scott himself.
Academic text (2016) -
Her performance in 1779 as Perdita in David Garrick's adaptation of The Winter's Tale entranced the seventeen-year-old Prince of Wales, and a notorious affair ensued between Robinson and the future King George IV.
Academic text (2016) -
King George IV was known for his extravagant parties and lavish lifestyle during his reign.
-
During his time as monarch, King George IV faced many challenges due to his troubled marriage.
Surface Forms
Morphology
George + IV
Knowing 'George' and the Roman numeral 'IV' lets a learner infer 'George the Fourth' and, given naming conventions, may suggest a numbered monarch or historical person, so part of the meaning (a specific person who is the fourth George) is recoverable. However, the detailed referent — that he was King of the United Kingdom and of Hanover from 1820–1830 and his biographical attributes — cannot be derived from the constituents alone, so the full meaning is not predictable.
Etymology
George IV means he was the fourth king named George; the 'IV' simply shows his number in the line of kings. He ruled after acting as Prince Regent for his sick father and became famous for loving fine clothes, big parties and grand building projects, so his name often brings to mind a rich, showy ruler from the early 1800s.