gregory of tours: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2)Formal; Historical; Academic
Quick answer
What does “gregory of tours” mean?
A sixth-century historian and bishop, considered the primary source for the history of early Merovingian France.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sixth-century historian and bishop, considered the primary source for the history of early Merovingian France.
Refers to both the historical figure (c. 538–594 CE) and his major work, 'Decem Libri Historiarum' (Ten Books of Histories), commonly known as 'The History of the Franks'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
None; the name is identical in spelling and reference across both varieties.
Connotations
None. Usage is confined to historical and theological scholarship.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse. Identically low frequency in both UK and US academic historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gregory of tours” in a Sentence
[author] Gregory of Tours + VERB (writes, chronicles, reports, states)[source] According to Gregory of Tours, ...As + documented/recorded by + Gregory of ToursVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gregory of tours” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Gregorian historiography
- a Gregorian account (referring to Gregory of Tours)
American English
- Gregorian chronicle
- the Gregorian narrative
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Central to studies of late antiquity, Merovingian history, early medieval hagiography, and the transition from Roman Gaul.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used as a primary source in historical research, medieval studies, and patristics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gregory of tours”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gregory of tours”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gregory of tours”
- Incorrectly capitalising 'of' (Gregory Of Tours).
- Confusing him with other Church Fathers named Gregory (e.g., Gregory the Great).
- Treating it as a common noun or phrase rather than a fixed proper name.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
He was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours from 573 until his death in 594. He is the main contemporary source for Merovingian history.
His most famous work is 'Decem Libri Historiarum' (Ten Books of Histories), commonly referred to as 'The History of the Franks'.
His writings are invaluable because they provide a near-continuous narrative of 6th-century Gaul, documenting the fusion of Roman and Germanic cultures following the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
It is a name that includes an epithet denoting his bishopric. His given name was Georgius Florentius; he adopted the name Gregorius in honour of his great-grandfather. 'Of Tours' (Latin: Turonensis) identifies his see.
A sixth-century historian and bishop, considered the primary source for the history of early Merovingian France.
Gregory of tours is usually formal; historical; academic in register.
Gregory of tours: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡrɛɡ(ə)ri əv ˈtʊəz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡrɛɡ(ə)ri əv ˈtʊrz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A GREGarious (sociable) storyteller who gives a TOUR of Frankish history.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURCE IS AN AUTHORITY (e.g., 'The foundation rests on Gregory of Tours').
Practice
Quiz
What is Gregory of Tours best known for?