Minnie Mouse
3
2.5
- proper noun
- /ˈmɪni maʊs/
- The Minnie Mouse ears are one of the most popular souvenirs at Disney parks.
- Disney's Minnie Mouse
- Minnie Mouse poses with Mickey
Examples
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Look, it's Minnie Mouse!
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Minnie Mouse first appeared alongside Mickey Mouse in several classic cartoons.
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My little sister dressed up as Minnie Mouse for Halloween.
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I love Minnie Mouse!
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During the parade, Minnie Mouse waved cheerfully at the excited crowd.
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Children were thrilled to take pictures with Minnie Mouse at the theme park.
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At the birthday party, everyone dressed as their favorite character, but Minnie Mouse was the star of the show.
Surface Forms
Morphology
Minnie + Mouse
The compound is a proper name composed of a personal name plus the noun 'mouse', so a B1 learner who knows the words can infer it refers to a mouse called Minnie. However, the specific encyclopedic meaning — a Disney cartoon character and partner of Mickey Mouse — is cultural knowledge not derivable from the parts, making the expression only partially predictable.
Etymology
The character Minnie Mouse was created as a female, small partner for Mickey Mouse, so picture a tiny mouse in a dress and bow. Because the name Minnie sounds like 'mini', which means 'small', Minnie Mouse became the famous cartoon mouse who is Mickey's 'partner'.