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Glite Dictionary
Stonewall Jackson

Stonewall Jackson

4 4.9
A general for the southern states in the American Civil War known for holding ground
  • proper noun
  • /ˈstoʊnˌwɔl ˈdʒæk.sən/
: Stonewall Jackson
  • In 1862, General Stonewall Jackson led his troops through the Shenandoah Valley, showcasing his strategic prowess.

Examples

  • The troops, inspired by Stonewall Jackson, held their ground under heavy fire.

  • Did Stonewall Jackson lead his troops at the First Battle of Bull Run?

  • Stonewall Jackson earned his famous nickname at the First Battle of Bull Run.

  • Historians often cite Stonewall Jackson's tactics as some of the most brilliant of the Civil War.

  • General Stonewall Jackson was known for his tactical brilliance.

  • During the American Civil War, General Stonewall Jackson became known for his tactical brilliance at the First Battle of Bull Run.

  • Many historians regard Stonewall Jackson as one of the most effective commanders in the Confederate Army.

Surface Forms

Stonewall Jackson main

Morphology

Stonewall + Jackson

Although the parts 'stone' and 'wall' are transparent as individual words, they do not combine to yield the specific referent 'a Confederate general named Thomas J. Jackson'—'Stonewall' here is a historical nickname and 'Jackson' a surname. Identifying the person requires cultural/historical knowledge rather than compositional reasoning, so a B1 learner who only knows the constituents would not be able to derive the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Stonewall Jackson got his famous nickname at the First Battle of Bull Run. One popular story says an officer shouted 'There stands Jackson like a stone wall!' because he and his men stood very still and did not run, so the name came to mean someone who is strong and 'holds their ground'.