Saint Polycarp
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- proper noun
- Many early Christian writings mention Saint Polycarp as a faithful leader and martyr.
Examples
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The feast day of Saint Polycarp is celebrated on February 23 in many Christian traditions.
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According to tradition, Saint Polycarp was a disciple of the apostle John.
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The church commemorates Saint Polycarp every year.
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Did you know that Saint Polycarp was a bishop in Smyrna?
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According to tradition, Saint Polycarp was a disciple of the apostle John.
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Many early Christian writings mention Saint Polycarp as a faithful leader and martyr.
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Did you know that Saint Polycarp was a bishop in Smyrna?
Synonyms
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A Greek bishop from Smyrna in the second century remembered for dying for his Christian faith
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A Christian bishop from Smyrna who refuses to give up his faith and is burned to death
Surface Forms
Morphology
The expression is a direct combination of the honorific 'saint' and the proper name 'Polycarp'; if a learner knows both constituents they can infer it refers to the holy person named Polycarp (a bishop/martyr). This is purely denominative, not idiomatic or metaphorical, and follows cross-linguistic naming conventions, so its meaning is immediately derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Saint Polycarp was a real early Christian bishop who is remembered for his brave death. One popular story says he refused to give up his faith and was burned for it, so people call him a 'martyr' and an example of strong faith.