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Glite Dictionary
W. Somerset Maugham

W. Somerset Maugham

1 8.4
An English writer famous for novels, short stories, and plays
  • proper noun
  • Literature
: W. Somerset Maugham
  • W. Somerset Maugham is best remembered for his novel 'Of Human Bondage'.

Examples

  • Many critics regard W. Somerset Maugham as one of the great storytellers of the twentieth century.

  • The short stories of W. Somerset Maugham are still widely read and admired today.

  • Many consider W. Somerset Maugham one of the greatest English writers.

  • W. Somerset Maugham wrote several acclaimed novels.

  • W. Somerset Maugham is best remembered for his novel 'Of Human Bondage'.

  • Many critics regard W. Somerset Maugham as one of the great storytellers of the twentieth century.

  • The short stories of W. Somerset Maugham are still widely read and admired today.

Synonyms

Somerset Maugham
vsW. Somerset Maugham
2 7.5

An English writer of novels, short stories and plays known for clear prose

is the same author name but presents it with an initial before the surname

Surface Forms

W. Somerset Maugham main

Morphology

W. + Somerset + Maugham

This is a personal name (a proper noun) referring to a specific author, so knowing the pieces ('W.', 'Somerset', 'Maugham') does not allow a learner to infer the meaning or that the referent is an English writer. Proper names are arbitrary labels and do not transparently encode occupation or biographical facts, so the MWE is not predictable from its constituents.

Etymology

W. Somerset Maugham is simply his real name: the 'W.' stands for William and he used his middle name Somerset to make his name sound more memorable as a writer. So, when you see W. Somerset Maugham, it refers to the famous 'English writer' known for novels and short stories.