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Glite Dictionary
Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull

5 7.0
A Sioux chief who leads his people in fighting settlers and the United States Army
  • proper noun
  • /ˈsɪtɪŋ bʊl/
: Toro Sentado
  • Sitting Bull's warriors
  • Sitting Bull leads his people

Surface Forms

Sitting Bull main

Morphology

sitting + Bull

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical Sioux chief; the identity and historical meaning cannot be derived from the literal words 'sitting' and 'bull'. A B1 learner who knows the constituent words would likely interpret them literally (a bull that is sitting) and would not predict the person-name or historical reference without prior exposure or cultural context.

Etymology

Sitting Bull comes from his Lakota name and shows a simple image: a calm bull that is sitting, a strong, steady animal. That's why the name fits a Sioux 'chief' known for calm courage and for standing firm against settlers.