Definition

Proper noun: * Jonathan Swift: An Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer, poet, and cleric, born in 1667 and died in 1745. He is renowned for his masterful use of satire, irony, and wit to critique politics, human nature, and society.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The novel "Gulliver's Travels" was written by Jonathan Swift.
  • We studied the political satire in the works of Jonathan Swift.
  • The Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin from 1713 to 1745 was Jonathan Swift.

Advanced Usage

• "Swiftian" (adjective): Characteristic of or resembling the style, themes, or satirical methods of Jonathan Swift, often implying biting irony, dark humor, and a critical view of humanity.
  • The article offered a Swiftian critique of modern consumer culture.

Variants and Related Words

• Swiftian (adj): Pertaining to Jonathan Swift or his style.
• Gulliver's Travels (n): His most famous satirical novel, formally titled .
• A Modest Proposal (n): A famous satirical essay by Swift, which ironically suggests solving poverty in Ireland by selling children as food.

Synonyms

• The Dean (A common reference to him, from his position as Dean of St. Patrick's).
• Author of Gulliver's Travels (A descriptive synonym based on his most famous work).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• A Modest Proposal: Often used idiomatically to refer to an ironic or satirical suggestion that is shocking or extreme in order to criticize a real issue.
  • His plan to solve traffic by banning all cars was clearly a Modest Proposal.

Noun

1. an English satirist born in Ireland (1667-1745)