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Glite Dictionary
Llew Llaw Gyffes

Llew Llaw Gyffes

9.9
A hero in Welsh stories who overcomes curses using magic
  • proper noun
  • Literature
: Llew Llaw Gyffes
  • Many stories recount how Llew Llaw Gyffes overcame the curse placed on him by his mother.

Examples

  • The legend of Llew Llaw Gyffes is an important part of Welsh folklore.

  • Scholars debate the symbolic meaning behind the feats of Llew Llaw Gyffes in the Mabinogi.

  • Llew Llaw Gyffes is a hero.

  • What can you tell me about Llew Llaw Gyffes?

  • In Welsh mythology, Llew Llaw Gyffes is celebrated for his bravery and magical abilities.

  • The tales of Llew Llaw Gyffes showcase his journey to break the curses placed upon him.

  • Many myths feature Llew Llaw Gyffes as a key figure overcoming great challenges.

Surface Forms

Llew Llaw Gyffes main

Morphology

Llew + Llaw + Gyffes

This is a Welsh proper name for a mythic hero and the listed constituents are not English dictionary words, so a B1 learner who knows English vocabulary cannot compose their meanings to infer the referent. Proper names and culture-specific epithets are non-compositional and require specific cultural or lexical knowledge, making the expression unpredictable from its parts.

Etymology

Llew Llaw Gyffes may come from old Welsh words Llew, Llaw and Gyffes, which together give the image 'a skillful hand'. That's why the name fits a hero who uses a skillful hand and magic to overcome curses and danger.