Saint Francis of Assisi

1 6.3

An Italian religious man of the 1200s who started the Franciscan order and cared for poor people and animals

proper noun
/seɪnt ˈfrænsɪs əv əˈsɪsi/

: San Francisco de Asís

The teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi emphasize humility and compassion for all creatures.

Examples

Many animal lovers consider Saint Francis of Assisi to be the patron saint of animals.
Each October, some churches hold services to bless pets in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Many people admire Saint Francis of Assisi for his love of animals.
Did Saint Francis of Assisi really preach to the birds?
Many animal lovers consider Saint Francis of Assisi to be the patron saint of animals.
Each October, some churches hold services to bless pets in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi emphasize humility and compassion for all creatures.

Synonyms

Saint Francis

vsSaint Francis of Assisi

5 5.6

An Italian monk and Catholic saint who founded a group of religious men

focuses more on the friar role and personal devotion to nature

Francis of Assisi

vsSaint Francis of Assisi

5 6.4

An Italian monk and preacher who founded the Franciscan order and became a Catholic saint

adds the specific note of devotion to poverty and nature

St. Francis

vsSaint Francis of Assisi

5 6.8

An Italian monk who founded the Franciscan order and became a Catholic saint

uses full title and highlights devotion to nature and poverty

St. Francis of Assisi

vsSaint Francis of Assisi

3 7.0

An Italian monk and preacher who founded the Franciscan order and cares for the poor and animals

is the full formal title stressing founding and devotion

Surface Forms

Saint Francis of Assisi main

Morphology

saint + Francis + of + Assisi

The phrase is compositional: 'saint' gives the core meaning (a holy person) and the structure 'X of Y' indicates a named person associated with a place. A B1 learner who knows the words 'saint', 'of' and the name components can infer this refers to a saint called Francis from Assisi, so the meaning is transparently derived from the constituents.

Etymology

Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian religious man who lived in the 1200s and loved living simply and caring for animals. One popular story says he even spoke to birds and treated creatures as friends, and that's why people call him the 'patron saint of animals' and hold pet blessing services in his name.