Saint Olaf

1 8.9

A king of Norway from 1015 to 1028 who is the country's patron saint

proper noun

: San Olaf

Every year, people in Trondheim celebrate Saint Olaf's feast day with parades and ceremonies.

Examples

King Saint Olaf ruled Norway for many years.
Many Norwegian churches are dedicated to Saint Olaf in honor of his legacy.
The story of Saint Olaf inspired countless legends throughout Scandinavia.
The Saint Olaf festival celebrates his legacy.
Every year, people in Trondheim celebrate Saint Olaf's feast day with parades and ceremonies.
Many Norwegian churches are dedicated to Saint Olaf in honor of his legacy.
The story of Saint Olaf inspired countless legends throughout Scandinavia.

Synonyms

Olav II

vsSaint Olaf

8.8

A king of Norway from 995 to 1030 who became the country's patron saint after his death

gives reign years rather than lifespan dates

Saint Olav

vsSaint Olaf

8.7

A Norwegian king from around 1000 who became Norway's patron saint after his death

gives reign years instead of birth and death years

St. Olav

vsSaint Olaf

8.8

A king of Norway around 1000 who is the country's patron saint and helped make it Christian

mentions reign years and patron status without that achievement

St. Olaf

vsSaint Olaf

9.9

A Norwegian king who is the country's patron saint and is famous for spreading Christianity

focuses on reign years and veneration without stressing that role

Surface Forms

Saint Olaf main

Morphology

saint + Olaf

The form 'Saint Olaf' is partially compositional: a learner who knows 'saint' and recognizes 'Olaf' as a name can infer it refers to a saint called Olaf. However, the specific historical information (that he was King of Norway from 1015–1028 and patron saint) cannot be derived from the constituents alone, and proper names carry culture-specific information that learners must learn by exposure.

Etymology

Saint Olaf comes from a real 11th-century king of Norway who tried to make Norway a Christian country and was killed in battle. People soon called him a saint, so Saint Olaf became the 'patron saint' of Norway and his name is used for churches, places, and yearly festivals.