Vladimir Nabokov

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A Russian-born American writer famous for the novel Lolita

proper noun
/ˈvlædɪmɪr nəˈboʊkɔf/

: Vladimir Nabokov

Vladimir Nabokov wrote 'Lolita', which sparked significant controversy upon its release.

Examples

Vladimir Nabokov is celebrated for his novel 'Pale Fire', which showcases his unique narrative style.
Vladimir Nabokov is best known for his controversial novel 'Lolita'.
Many critics consider Vladimir Nabokov one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century.
The literary style of Vladimir Nabokov is admired for its sophistication and wit.
Many consider Vladimir Nabokov one of the greatest authors of the 20th century.
Many scholars regard Vladimir Nabokov as a leading figure in 20th-century literature.
Vladimir Nabokov's vivid imagery and intricate language have left a lasting impact on readers worldwide.

Surface Forms

Vladimir Nabokov main

Morphology

Vladimir + Nabokov

This is a proper name referring to a specific individual; its meaning is referential (an author) rather than compositional, so knowing the constituent words does not yield the biographical information. Personal names are arbitrary across languages and not predictable from their parts, so a B1 learner who knows 'Vladimir' and 'Nabokov' would not be able to infer who he is or his works without prior exposure.

Etymology

Vladimir Nabokov was a Russian-born writer who later lived in the United States and is best known for the novels 'Lolita' and 'Pale Fire'. He also loved butterflies and wrote with very careful, playful language, so his name often brings to mind 'beautiful, clever, and sometimes shocking writing'.