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Glite Dictionary
Lawrence of Rome

Lawrence of Rome

9.9
A Christian killed in 3rd century Rome by being roasted on a gridiron for giving church treasures to the poor
  • proper noun
  • NSFW
translation icon : San Lorenzo
  • Medieval artists often depicted Lawrence of Rome holding a gridiron, symbolizing his martyrdom.

Examples

  • Many churches are dedicated to Lawrence of Rome in honor of his sacrifice.

  • Saint Lawrence of Rome is celebrated on August 10.

  • The story of Lawrence of Rome is celebrated each year on August 10th.

  • Did you know that Lawrence of Rome was a deacon?

  • Many churches are dedicated to Lawrence of Rome in honor of his sacrifice.

  • Medieval artists often depicted Lawrence of Rome holding a gridiron, symbolizing his martyrdom.

  • The story of Lawrence of Rome is celebrated each year on August 10th.

Synonyms

Saint Lawrence
vsLawrence of Rome
  • NSFW
7.4

A Christian deacon who was killed for his faith in the third century after helping the poor

has the same story but is titled in a different form
St. Lawrence
vsLawrence of Rome
  • NSFW
8.6

A Christian from the third century who helped the poor and was roasted alive in Rome

focuses more on the full tradition including presenting the poor not only charity

Surface Forms

Lawrence of Rome main

Morphology

Lawrence + of + Rome

The form 'Lawrence of Rome' transparently indicates a person named Lawrence associated with Rome, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would infer it's a person from Rome. However, the specific encyclopedic meaning (that he is a 3rd‑century Christian martyr roasted on a gridiron) cannot be derived from the words themselves and requires prior cultural or historical knowledge, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Lawrence of Rome was a 3rd-century Christian who, the story says, refused to hand over the church's treasure and instead gave it to the poor, and for this he was killed by being roasted on a gridiron. That's why many churches are named for him and why he is shown with a gridiron as a symbol of his 'death for his faith'.