lattimore
Very Low (Proper Noun)Formal
Definition
Meaning
A proper noun, most commonly recognized as a surname of English origin.
In modern contexts, primarily refers to a person bearing that surname. It may be associated with specific individuals (e.g., authors, scholars, athletes) or geographic locations (e.g., towns). It has no inherent meaning as a common noun.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a proper noun, 'Lattimore' is a referential term pointing to specific entities (people, places) and does not have semantic features like common nouns. Its usage is entirely context-dependent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No systematic difference in usage. Frequency and recognition depend entirely on the prominence of specific Lattimores in UK vs. US culture.
Connotations
Connotations are tied to known bearers of the name (e.g., literary scholar Owen Lattimore). Neutral on its own.
Frequency
Equally rare as a lexical item in both dialects. More frequent as a surname in anglophone countries.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Proper Noun] (as subject/object)the works of [Proper Noun]a biography of [Proper Noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No idioms)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Possible as a company or brand name, e.g., 'Lattimore & Associates'.
Academic
Appears in historical, literary, or East Asian studies contexts referencing Owen Lattimore.
Everyday
Used only when referring to a specific person or place with that name.
Technical
No technical usage.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The Lattimore papers are archived at the university.
- She gave a Lattimore-esque analysis of the region.
American English
- The Lattimore collection is held by the library.
- His approach was distinctly Lattimorean in its scope.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My teacher is named Mrs. Lattimore.
- Lattimore is a street name in our town.
- We studied a text by Owen Lattimore in history class.
- The small town of Lattimore is in North Carolina.
- Lattimore's theories on the frontier were controversial in his time.
- Biographers disagree on the impact of the accusations against Lattimore.
- The Lattimore affair during the McCarthy era remains a subject of scholarly debate concerning academic freedom and Cold War politics.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'LATTICE' (a framework) and 'MORE' – the 'Lattimore' framework adds more historical context.
Conceptual Metaphor
A proper noun is a unique tag for an entity.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not attempt to translate it. It is a transliterated name: Лэттимор / Латимор.
- Avoid parsing it as a compound word with meaning (e.g., 'latte' + 'more').
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'He is a lattimore').
- Omitting the capital letter.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Lattimore' primarily?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is an English surname and thus a proper noun in the English language.
No, it is exclusively a proper noun. Any verbal use would be highly non-standard and context-specific (e.g., slang within a very small group).
Dictionaries often include notable proper nouns, especially surnames of significant historical or cultural figures, due to their frequent appearance in texts.
In both British and American English, the stress is on the first syllable: LAT-ti-more. The 'r' at the end is pronounced in American English but often not in non-rhotic British accents.