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Glite Dictionary
Lighthouse of Alexandria

Lighthouse of Alexandria

7.9
A very tall ancient lighthouse on Pharos island in Alexandria that guided ships and was one of the Seven Wonders
  • proper noun
translation icon : Faro de Alejandría
  • Historians consider the Lighthouse of Alexandria one of the greatest architectural achievements of its time.

Examples

  • Many legends surround the enduring light that once shone from the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

  • The Lighthouse of Alexandria guided sailors safely into the ancient port for centuries.

  • The Lighthouse of Alexandria was built around 285 BC.

  • Can you believe the Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders?

  • The Lighthouse of Alexandria, constructed in the 3rd century BC, served as a guiding beacon for sailors.

  • Historians believe the Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the tallest structures of the ancient world.

  • Tourists often visit the remains of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, marveling at its historical significance.

Synonyms

pharos
vsLighthouse of Alexandria
  • Archaic
2 9.9

A tall tower with a light that guides ships at sea

is narrower, naming the specific ancient island beacon rather than any general one
Tower of Pharos
vsLighthouse of Alexandria
9.9

An ancient lighthouse at Alexandria that guided ships to the port

is the more common name for the same ancient structure

Surface Forms

Lighthouse of Alexandria main

Morphology

lighthouse + of + Alexandria

The phrase combines the concrete noun 'lighthouse' with the place name 'Alexandria', so a learner who knows both constituents will readily infer it denotes the lighthouse located in Alexandria. This simple possessive/genitive composition is cross-linguistically common and not idiomatic, making the meaning transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Lighthouse of Alexandria was a very tall tower on the island of Pharos that sent out a bright light. The lighthouse used a fire and mirrors to 'guide' sailors into the port, and that clear image is why people remember it as one of the great wonders of the ancient world.