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Glite Dictionary
Jean Monnet

Jean Monnet

1 8.3
A French economist and diplomat who helped start the European Union
  • proper noun
: Jean Monnet
  • Jean Monnet played a key role in the creation of the European Economic Community.

Examples

  • The visionary Jean Monnet played a crucial role in European integration.

  • Many historians regard Jean Monnet as one of the architects of modern Europe.

  • The vision of Jean Monnet continues to influence European policy makers today.

  • Did Jean Monnet really believe in a united Europe?

  • Jean Monnet was instrumental in promoting economic cooperation among European countries.

  • The policies of Jean Monnet laid the groundwork for what eventually became the European Union.

  • Jean Monnet is celebrated for his contributions to the idea of a unified European market.

Surface Forms

Jean Monnet main

Morphology

Jean + Monnet

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical person; the biographical meaning ('French economist and founding figure of European integration') cannot be derived from the constituent names 'Jean' and 'Monnet'. Proper names are arbitrary and require cultural/world knowledge rather than compositional word meaning, so a B1 learner who only knows the parts would not infer the MWE's referent or role.

Etymology

Jean Monnet was a French man who, after the Second World War, had the idea that countries should share key industries like coal and steel so they would be linked and less likely to fight. That's why his name now stands for the start of European cooperation and the 'Common Market'.