du maurier
LowFormal/Literary
Definition
Meaning
A surname, most famously that of the English novelist and playwright Dame Daphne du Maurier.
Referring to the literary works, style, or legacy associated with Daphne du Maurier; can also refer to her family, including her grandfather George du Maurier, a novelist and Punch cartoonist.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as a proper noun. In non-literary contexts, it may be unrecognized or mistaken. The use of 'du' (not capitalized in surname) is a specific orthographic feature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the name is strongly associated with Daphne du Maurier and her Cornish settings. In the US, recognition is high among literary audiences but may be less widespread generally.
Connotations
Evokes Gothic romance, suspense, psychological drama, and specific English landscapes (Cornwall).
Frequency
More frequent in UK literary and cultural discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Author] du Maurier wrote [Title].[Title] is a classic du Maurier tale.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in publishing or tourism related to her work.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, gender studies, and Gothic fiction modules.
Everyday
Recognized by readers familiar with classic 20th-century fiction.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The film had a distinctly du Maurier atmosphere.
- It was a du Maurier-esque tale of hidden secrets.
American English
- The novel's plot felt very du Maurier.
- She has a du Maurier-like flair for suspense.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We watched the film 'Rebecca', which is based on a du Maurier novel.
- My grandmother loves reading Daphne du Maurier.
- The author's depiction of Cornwall is quintessentially du Maurier, full of brooding landscapes and complex characters.
- Scholars often analyse the Gothic elements in du Maurier's shorter fiction.
- The adaptation successfully captured the du Maurieresque tension between psychological realism and melodrama.
- Her legacy extends beyond mere genre fiction, positioning du Maurier as a significant mid-century cultural commentator.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Duke of Maurier' but French-inspired: 'du' as in 'Duke', Maurier rhymes with 'glacier'.
Conceptual Metaphor
DU MAURIER IS GOTHIC SUSPENSE (e.g., 'That situation was pure du Maurier.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'du' as a preposition ('of' or 'from'). Treat 'du Maurier' as a single, foreign proper name.
- Avoid Cyrillic transcription that splits the name; write 'дю Морье' as a unit.
Common Mistakes
- Capitalizing the 'd' in 'du' when starting a sentence (correct: 'Du Maurier' is wrong; 'du Maurier' is correct).
- Mispronouncing as 'doo mor-ee-er' in British English.
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct capitalisation for this surname at the start of a sentence?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, according to standard reference works and the family's own usage, 'du' is not capitalized within the surname (e.g., Daphne du Maurier), even at the start of a sentence.
'Rebecca', 'Jamaica Inn', 'My Cousin Rachel', 'The Birds', and 'Don't Look Now' are among her most renowned novels and stories.
In British English, it is commonly /djuː ˈmɒrieɪ/. In American English, it is often /duː mɔːriˈeɪ/.
Yes, informally in literary contexts to describe something reminiscent of her style (e.g., 'a du Maurier vibe'), though it's not a standard dictionary adjective.