Walter Raleigh

4 7.5

An English explorer and royal adviser who helped introduce potatoes and tobacco to England

proper noun
/ˈwɔltər ˈrɔli/

: Walter Raleigh

Walter Raleigh was instrumental in the early English attempts to colonize North America.

Examples

Potatoes and tobacco are said to have been introduced to England by Walter Raleigh.
Many books discuss the adventurous life of Walter Raleigh and his relationship with Queen Elizabeth I.
The famous explorer Walter Raleigh was known for his adventurous spirit.
Did Walter Raleigh really introduce tobacco to England?
Walter Raleigh was instrumental in the early English attempts to colonize North America.
Many books discuss the adventurous life of Walter Raleigh and his relationship with Queen Elizabeth I.
Potatoes and tobacco are said to have been introduced to England by Walter Raleigh.

Synonyms

Raleigh

vsWalter Raleigh

5 7.7

An English explorer and royal court member who sponsored early colonies in Virginia

is the same figure but notes soldier role and royal favor

Surface Forms

Walter Raleigh main

Morphology

Walter + Raleigh

This is a referential proper name (given name + surname); knowing the constituents 'Walter' and 'Raleigh' only signals that it is a person’s name, not the biographical facts. Proper names are non-compositional across languages, so the specific meaning (16th–17th-century explorer, bringing potatoes/tobacco, etc.) cannot be derived from the parts and is therefore opaque to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Walter Raleigh was a real English explorer and a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I who led early journeys to North America and is said to have brought potatoes and tobacco to England. That's why his name makes people think of 'adventure' and 'exploration'.