James (Noun)
Meaning 1
A Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- James IV of Scotland allied himself with France through the Auld Alliance in 1497, strengthening ties between the two nations.
- James IV sought to secure peace between England and Scotland through marriage, marrying Margaret Tudor, the eldest daughter of Henry VII.
- During James' rule, the navy and trade of Scotland increased significantly contributing to a period of economic prosperity for the country.
- James' decision to support France led to him invading England in 1513, hoping to capture key cities in the north.
- At the Battle of Flodden on 9 September 1513, James IV fought against the English and suffered defeat and death, his plans for conquest thwarted.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Writer who was born in the United States but lived in England (1843-1916).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- Henry James was born to a wealthy family in New York City and later became a prominent figure in London society.
- James was known for exploring the complexities of the human psyche in his novels and short stories.
- The writer's experiences as an American living in England greatly influenced his work, as seen in James' novel 'The Ambassadors'.
- Many of James' works have been adapted into films, including 'The Turn of the Screw' and 'The Wings of the Dove'.
- James' writing style is characterized by its complex, nuanced exploration of themes and emotions.
Synonyms
Meaning 3
A river that rises in North Dakota and flows southward across South Dakota to the Missouri.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made).
Examples
- The James River rises in the southeastern part of North Dakota before flowing southward through South Dakota.
- In South Dakota, the James River flows through the scenic James River Valley, known for its rolling hills and diverse wildlife.
- Near its confluence with the Missouri River, the James River becomes narrower and deeper, creating opportunities for fishing and boating.
- Historically, the James River was an important water source for Native American tribes and early European settlers in the region.
- The James River is approximately 710 miles long and drains a significant portion of eastern South Dakota.
Synonyms
Meaning 4
The first Stuart to be king of England and Ireland from 1603 to 1625 and king of Scotland from 1567 to 1625; he was the son of Mary Queen of Scots and he succeeded Elizabeth I; he alienated the British Parliament by claiming the divine right of kings (1566-1625).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- King James I was an accomplished scholar and poet, and he sponsored translations of the Bible, resulting in the Authorized King James Version.
- James I's accession to the English throne in 1603 united the three crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland under a single monarch.
- The Gunpowder Plot in 1605 was a major assassination attempt against King James I and the ruling class of England.
- As a strong believer in the divine right of kings, James I often clashed with the English Parliament over his absolute authority.
- King James I's son, Charles I, succeeded him as the ruler of England in 1625 and went on to face severe conflicts with Parliament.
Synonyms
Meaning 5
United States outlaw who fought as a Confederate soldier and later led a band of outlaws that robbed trains and banks in the West until he was murdered by a member of his own gang (1847-1882).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- Jesse James was an infamous outlaw who robbed banks and trains across the American West.
- The notorious outlaw Jesse James was killed by Robert Ford, a member of his own gang.
- Jesse James' exploits made him a folk hero in some parts of the United States.
- During his time as a Confederate soldier, Jesse James was involved in various guerrilla activities.
- Jesse James and his brother Frank formed a gang that robbed banks, trains and stagecoaches.
Synonyms
Meaning 6
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of John; author of the Epistle of James in the New Testament.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- James and John, often referred to as the sons of Zebedee, were two of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus to spread his teachings.
- As a devoted follower, James continued to preach the gospel even after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
- According to Christian tradition, James went on to become the leader of the church in Jerusalem.
- The Epistle of James is believed to be the work of James, the brother of Jesus' apostle John.
- The martyrdom of James at the hands of King Agrippa I further emphasized the persecution faced by early Christians.
Synonyms
Meaning 7
The last Stuart to be king of England and Ireland and Scotland; overthrown in 1688 (1633-1701).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- James II was overthrown during the Glorious Revolution in 1688.
- The reign of James in England and Ireland was marked by significant controversy.
- As the last Stuart king, James left a lasting legacy in the history of the region.
- Before James ascended to the throne, he had resided in exile for several years.
- King James faced opposition from the Protestant-dominated English Parliament throughout his reign.
Synonyms
Meaning 8
A river in Virginia that flows east into Chesapeake Bay at Hampton Roads.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made).
Examples
- The James River is a significant waterway in Virginia, with its headwaters in the Blue Ridge Mountains and its mouth in the Chesapeake Bay.
- A major portion of the James River forms part of the border between the cities of Richmond and Henrico County.
- The Powhatan State Park offers scenic views and outdoor recreational activities along the James River in Virginia.
- A restored canal system along the James River was used for transportation and commerce in the late 18th century.
- The James River Bridge crosses over the river near the city of Hopewell, providing an essential transportation route in the region.
Synonyms
Meaning 9
United States pragmatic philosopher and psychologist (1842-1910).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- William James was a United States pragmatic philosopher and psychologist who made significant contributions to the fields of psychology and philosophy.
- The philosophical ideas developed by James had a profound impact on American thought during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- James, along with Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, and Friedrich Nietzsche, was one of the most influential thinkers of the modern era.
- As a psychologist, James was particularly interested in the concept of consciousness, which he explored in his seminal work "The Principles of Psychology".
- The philosophical movement known as pragmatism, to which James was a key contributor, emphasizes the practical application of knowledge and ideas.
Synonyms
Meaning 10
A New Testament book attributed to Saint James the Apostle.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The Epistle of James is a New Testament book attributed to Saint James the Apostle.
- The book of James is often considered to be the first Catholic Epistle to have been written.
- Scholars have debated whether the author of the book of James was actually Saint James the Apostle.
- In the New Testament, the book of James contains the famous verse faith without works is dead.
- The James in the title of the New Testament book is believed to be a reference to Jesus' brother James.