Captain Kidd
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Proper noun: * Captain Kidd: A historical figure; a Scottish sea captain who was initially employed by the British government to protect merchant ships and combat piracy but was later accused of becoming a pirate himself, tried, and executed.
Usage Notes
- "Captain Kidd" refers specifically to the 17th-century privateer and pirate, William Kidd. It is used as a proper name.
- It is commonly cited in historical contexts, literature, and folklore about piracy.
Examples
- Proper noun:
- Many legends surround the exploits of Captain Kidd.
- Historians debate whether Captain Kidd was truly a pirate or a victim of circumstance.
- The story of Captain Kidd's buried treasure is famous.
Advanced Usage
- The name can be used metonymically to represent the romanticized idea of a pirate or hidden treasure.
- Every child on the beach was digging, hoping to be the next Captain Kidd.
Variants and Related Words
- William Kidd: The full name of the historical figure.
- Privateer: A person authorized by a government to attack foreign ships during wartime; Kidd was originally commissioned as a privateer.
- Buccaneer: A synonym for pirate, often used in historical contexts.
Synonyms
- Pirate
- Buccaneer
- Privateer (specifically for his initial, legal role)
- Corsair
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "Captain Kidd's treasure": An idiom referring to a legendary or elusive hidden fortune.
- Searching for the lost manuscript was like looking for Captain Kidd's treasure.
Noun
- Scottish sea captain who was hired to protect British shipping in the Indian Ocean and then was accused of piracy and hanged (1645-1701)