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lemuel

Low
UK/ˈlɛm.ju.əl/US/ˈlɛm.ju.əl/

Formal, Literary, Archaic

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Definition

Meaning

A male given name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'devoted to God' or 'belonging to God'.

Primarily a personal name, sometimes used in literary contexts to denote a virtuous or pious man. Also appears as a character name in literature (most famously in Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels') and in the biblical Book of Proverbs (Lemuel is the name of a king who utters an oracle).

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

This is a proper noun (name). Its usage outside of naming is exceedingly rare and typically allusive, referring to the biblical or Swiftian character.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in usage. The name is equally uncommon in both varieties.

Connotations

Carries biblical/literary connotations. May be perceived as old-fashioned or quaint.

Frequency

Extremely rare as a given name in contemporary use in both regions.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
King Lemuelthe words of Lemuel
medium
Lemuel'sa Lemuelold Lemuel
weak
Mr LemuelLemuel saidcalled Lemuel

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Proper Noun] (standalone)Lemuel [Verb][Article/Possessive] Lemuel

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Neutral

SamuelNathanielDaniel

Weak

LemLemy

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Might appear in literary criticism or biblical studies.

Everyday

Only when referring to a specific person with that name.

Technical

Not applicable.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • His name is Lemuel.
  • I met a man called Lemuel.
B1
  • Lemuel is an unusual name nowadays.
  • In the story, Lemuel Gulliver travels to many strange lands.
B2
  • The biblical King Lemuel is credited with writing Proverbs 31.
  • The character's full name, Lemuel Gulliver, is instantly recognisable to many readers.
C1
  • The provenance of the name Lemuel, meaning 'devoted to God', is firmly rooted in the Hebrew tradition.
  • Swift's choice of 'Lemuel' for his protagonist imbues him with an initial air of sober piety, which is swiftly undercut by the narrative's events.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'Lemon' + 'JewEL' = Lemuel, a jewel of a man devoted to God.

Conceptual Metaphor

NAME IS A VIRTUE (when used allusively).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not confuse with 'лемур' (lemur, the animal).
  • No direct Russian equivalent; transliterated as 'Лемуэль'.

Common Mistakes

  • Misspelling as 'Lemual' or 'Lemmuel'.
  • Using it as a common noun.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In Jonathan Swift's famous satire, the protagonist's first name is Gulliver.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary origin and meaning of the name 'Lemuel'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Lemuel is a very rare given name in modern English-speaking countries.

It is of Hebrew origin, found in the Bible (Book of Proverbs, Chapter 31).

Lemuel Gulliver is the protagonist of Jonathan Swift's 1726 novel 'Gulliver's Travels'.

No, Lemuel is exclusively a male given name.