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Glite Dictionary
Saint Benedict

Saint Benedict

7.7
An Italian Christian monk who founded the Benedictine order and wrote rules for monks
  • proper noun
  • /seɪnt ˈbɛnɪkt/
translation icon : San Benito
  • The Rule of Saint Benedict has influenced Christian monastic life for centuries.

Examples

  • Many monasteries across Europe were established by followers of Saint Benedict.

  • Saint Benedict is often depicted in art holding a book and a cross.

  • Saint Benedict is revered.

  • Did you know that Saint Benedict founded the Benedictine order?

  • Many monasteries across Europe were established by followers of Saint Benedict.

  • The Rule of Saint Benedict has influenced Christian monastic life for centuries.

  • Saint Benedict is often depicted in art holding a book and a cross.

Synonyms

Benedict
vsSaint Benedict
106 8.1

An Italian monk who started Western Christian monasteries around 540

is identical but adds a religious honorific in the name
Benedict of Nursia
vsSaint Benedict
9.9

An Italian monk many see as the founder of Western life in monasteries and the order named after him

is identical but uses a religious title instead of a place name

Surface Forms

Saint Benedict main

Morphology

saint + Benedict

The phrase is a straightforward combination of 'saint' (a holy person) and the proper name 'Benedict,' so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand it refers to a saint called Benedict. While specific historical details (dates, founding the Benedictine order) are not recoverable from the words alone, the basic referential meaning is compositional and cross-linguistically transparent.

Etymology

Saint Benedict brings to mind an early monk who left busy life to live simply and who taught others by writing a short book of 'rules' for daily life. Because he started a group of monks who followed those rules, today Saint Benedict means that man and the way of life he began.