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Glite Dictionary
Saint Olav

Saint Olav

8.7
A Norwegian king from around 1000 who became Norway's patron saint after his death
  • proper noun
: San Olav
  • Many pilgrims travel to the Nidaros Cathedral to honor Saint Olav's memory.

Examples

  • The feast day of Saint Olav is celebrated annually in Norway.

  • King Saint Olav ruled Norway from 995 to 1030.

  • Legends about Saint Olav are an important part of Norwegian folklore.

  • Many Norwegians celebrate Saint Olav Day every July.

  • Legends about Saint Olav are an important part of Norwegian folklore.

  • Many pilgrims travel to the Nidaros Cathedral to honor Saint Olav's memory.

  • The feast day of Saint Olav is celebrated annually in Norway.

Synonyms

Saint Olaf
vsSaint Olav
1 8.9

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

uses different lifespan dates and states patron saint status after death
Olav II
vsSaint Olav
8.8

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

refers to the same person but uses the saintly name
St. Olav
vsSaint Olav
8.8

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

focuses on the later role as patron saint after death
St. Olaf
vsSaint Olav
9.9

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

stresses overall patron saint status rather than missionary achievements

Surface Forms

Saint Olav main

Morphology

saint + Olav

This is a straightforward composition of the noun 'saint' (a canonized/hallowed person) with a proper name 'Olav', so a learner who knows both constituents will infer it refers to a person called Olav who is a saint. The exact historical details (that he was King of Norway and patron saint, with specific dates) require background knowledge, but the basic referential meaning is transparently derivable from the parts and follows common title+name patterns cross-linguistically.

Etymology

Saint Olav was originally Olaf II, a Norwegian king who died in battle in 1030 and whose grave became a place where people said he did miracles. Because of this many people honored him and called him the country's 'patron saint'.