Myles Standish
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Proper noun:
- English colonist in America; leader of the Pilgrims in the early days of the Plymouth Colony (1584-1656): Myles Standish was a military officer hired by the Pilgrims to accompany them on the Mayflower and provide military leadership and defense for the Plymouth Colony in New England.
Usage
- The name "Myles Standish" is used to refer to the historical figure, primarily in historical, biographical, and educational contexts concerning early American colonization.
- It functions as a singular proper noun.
Examples
- Proper noun:
- Myles Standish was instrumental in defending the fledgling Plymouth settlement.
- The Pilgrims relied on the military expertise of Myles Standish.
- A famous anecdote involves Myles Standish being sent to propose marriage on behalf of a shy friend.
Advanced Usage
- The figure of Myles Standish is often cited in discussions about the practical, non-religious members of the Pilgrim community, as he was not a Puritan Separatist but a hired military advisor.
- He is a central character in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1858 narrative poem .
Variants and Related Words
- Miles Standish: A common alternate spelling of his first name. Both "Myles" and "Miles" are used in historical records.
- Captain Standish: A common way to refer to him, referencing his military rank.
- Pilgrim: A member of the English Separatists who founded Plymouth Colony; Standish was their military leader.
- Mayflower: The ship that transported the Pilgrims and Standish to the New World in 1620.
Synonyms
- Historical figure
- Colonial leader
- Military captain (of the Pilgrims)
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To play Myles Standish: An uncommon, literary phrase alluding to acting as an intermediary in a romantic matter, derived from the poem where Standish courts Priscilla Mullins for his friend John Alden.
- He didn't have the courage to ask her himself, so he tried to get his friend to play Myles Standish for him.
Noun
- English colonist in America; leader of the Pilgrims in the early days of the Plymouth Colony (1584-1656)