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Glite Dictionary
Saint James

Saint James

5.0
A follower of Jesus who is the brother of John and who is believed to have written the letter James
  • proper noun
translation icon : San Santiago
  • Saint James is believed to have written the Epistle of James in the New Testament.

Examples

  • The teachings of Saint James emphasize faith and works.

  • Many pilgrims travel the Camino de Santiago to honor Saint James each year.

  • The church was dedicated to Saint James, the brother of John.

  • Did Saint James really write the Epistle?

  • Saint James is believed to have written the Epistle of James in the New Testament.

  • Many pilgrims travel the Camino de Santiago to honor Saint James each year.

  • The church was dedicated to Saint James, the brother of John.

Synonyms

James
vsSaint James
  • Literature
∞ 5.5

A short book in the Bible that teaches about faith and good actions

is specifically the individual apostle rather than the book sense
Saint James the Apostle
vsSaint James
6.7

One of Jesus's twelve followers, brother of John, traditionally said to have written the New Testament letter James

is identical in meaning but uses a slightly different title form
St. James
vsSaint James
6.4

A New Testament follower of Jesus who is John’s brother and is said to have written the letter James

is the same person but presented with a more formal honorific
St. James the Apostle
vsSaint James
7.5

One of Jesus's twelve followers who is John's brother and traditionally said to have written the New Testament letter James

refers to the same figure but prefers the unabbreviated honorific form

Surface Forms

Saint James main

Morphology

saint + James

The expression is directly compositional: 'saint' (a holy person) + the proper name 'James' yields a holy person named James, so a B1 learner who knows both words will understand it refers to a religious figure called James. Specific biographical details (e.g., which James or apostolic status) are not inferable from the phrase alone, but the core referential meaning is transparent and cross-linguistically predictable.

Etymology

Saint James comes from one of Jesus' twelve followers who, by tradition, traveled to Spain and was later thought to be buried at Santiago. One popular story says his tomb became a big place for pilgrims, so churches and places called 'Saint James' honor that follower and remember him today.