matthew paris: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialist)Academic / Historical
Quick answer
What does “matthew paris” mean?
A proper noun referring to Matthew Paris (c. 1200–1259), an English Benedictine monk, historian, artist, and cartographer at St Albans Abbey.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to Matthew Paris (c. 1200–1259), an English Benedictine monk, historian, artist, and cartographer at St Albans Abbey.
May refer to scholarly works, manuscripts (e.g., the Chronica Majora), maps, or illustrations produced by the medieval chronicler. In a modern context, may appear in academic discussions of medieval English history, historiography, or manuscript illumination.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The name is equally recognisable in British and American academic historical circles.
Connotations
Connotes specialised medieval scholarship. In a UK context, there may be a stronger immediate association with English monastic history and the British Library's manuscript holdings.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Slightly higher frequency in UK academic publishing due to the subject's centrality to English medieval history.
Grammar
How to Use “matthew paris” in a Sentence
[Author] Matthew Paris + [Verb: chronicled, recorded, described, wrote, illustrated] + [Object][Work] by Matthew Paris[Discussion] of Matthew Paris's accountVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “matthew paris” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Parisian manuscripts (referring to the city) are distinct from Matthew Paris's work.
- The Parisian climate...
American English
- Parisian manuscripts (referring to the city) are distinct from Matthew Paris's work.
- The Parisian agreement...
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in history, medieval studies, art history, and manuscript studies to refer to the figure and his works. Example: 'Matthew Paris's itinerary maps are a crucial source.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only appear in very specific contexts like a documentary or a specialised museum exhibit label.
Technical
Used in scholarly citations, catalogue entries for manuscripts (e.g., British Library Cotton MS Nero D I), and academic historiography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “matthew paris”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “matthew paris”
- Treating 'Paris' as a common noun or location (e.g., 'Matthew from Paris').
- Using plural verb forms (e.g., 'Matthew Paris were...'). It is a singular proper noun.
- Misspelling as 'Mathew' or 'Parris'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Matthew Paris (c. 1200–1259) was an English Benedictine monk at St Albans Abbey. He is famous for writing and illustrating historical chronicles, most notably the 'Chronica Majora', which is a key source for 13th-century English and European history.
In both British and American English, 'Matthew' is pronounced /ˈmæθjuː/. 'Paris' is typically pronounced /ˈpærɪs/ (like the word 'parish'). In some American pronunciations, it may be /ˈpɛrɪs/ (with an 'e' sound like in 'pear'). The city Paris is pronounced differently (/ˈpærɪs/ in UK, /ˈpɛrɪs/ or /pəˈriːs/ in US).
No. It is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in academic contexts related to medieval history, manuscript studies, or art history. You are unlikely to encounter it in everyday conversation or general media.
His most significant work is the 'Chronica Majora' (Greater Chronicle), a vast history of the world from creation to 1259. He also produced other historical works, maps (like the itinerary to Jerusalem), and numerous detailed drawings and paintings within his manuscripts.
A proper noun referring to Matthew Paris (c. 1200–1259), an English Benedictine monk, historian, artist, and cartographer at St Albans Abbey.
Matthew paris is usually academic / historical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MAT-thew PAR-is in the medieval PAR-lour, writing his chronicles.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOURCE (of historical knowledge); A WINDOW (into the medieval world).
Practice
Quiz
Matthew Paris is best known for his work as a: