William Pitt the Younger
1
9.7
- proper noun
- William Pitt the Younger became Prime Minister at the age of just 24.
Examples
-
The policies of William Pitt the Younger shaped British responses to the French Revolution.
-
Historians often compare William Pitt the Younger and his father for their contributions to British politics.
-
Did William Pitt the Younger ever visit France during his tenure?
-
In 1793, William Pitt the Younger declared war on France.
-
William Pitt the Younger served as Prime Minister during a time of great national upheaval.
-
As a young politician, William Pitt the Younger was known for his vigorous defense of British interests.
-
William Pitt the Younger played a crucial role in the politics of Britain during the late 18th century.
Synonyms
1
9.0
A British Prime Minister during the wars with France around 1800
Surface Forms
Morphology
William + Pitt + the + younger
This is a proper name formed from a personal name plus the epithet 'the Younger', so a learner who knows the words can infer it refers to a William Pitt who is the younger (i.e., the son or the later-named individual) of two people with the same name. However, the specific historical identity and biographical meaning (that he was Prime Minister in 1759–1806) cannot be derived from the constituents, so the expression is only partially predictable.
Etymology
William Pitt the Younger was called the Younger because he was the son of another famous William Pitt, who is known as William Pitt the Elder. So people added 'the Younger' to show which man they meant, and today the name tells us this is the younger William Pitt, not his father.