bennett

IPA/bˈɛnɪt/
KK[bˈɛnət]IPA/bˈɛnət/

bennett — noun

1. Arnold Bennett (1867–1931), an English writer best known for his novels The Old

1.nounB2
Definition

Arnold Bennett (1867–1931), an English writer best known for his novels The Old Wives' Tale and the Clayhanger series, which realistically depict life in the industrial pottery towns of Staffordshire.

Example

My professor assigned Arnold Bennett's The Old Wives' Tale for our course on modern fiction.

possessive: Bennett's + work title

The Staffordshire Potteries region forms the setting for much of Arnold Bennett's work.

Common collocations
  • Bennett's novels
  • Bennett's fiction

Usage Note

Possessive forms such as 'Bennett's novels' or 'Bennett's writing' are common when discussing this author's works.

2. James Gordon Bennett (1795–1872), a Scottish-born American newspaper publisher w

2.nounC1
Definition

James Gordon Bennett (1795–1872), a Scottish-born American newspaper publisher who founded the New York Herald and helped create the modern style of investigative news reporting.

Example

James Gordon Bennett launched the New York Herald in 1835 and changed news reporting.

action verb + publication: launched/founded + newspaper name

The journalism textbook devotes a full chapter to James Gordon Bennett's influence on the press.

3. Naftali Bennett (born 1972), an Israeli politician who served as the 13th prime

3.nounB1
Definition

Naftali Bennett (born 1972), an Israeli politician who served as the 13th prime minister of Israel from 2021 to 2022, leading a coalition government that included parties from across the political spectrum.

Example

Naftali Bennett became prime minister of Israel in 2021 after forming a coalition government.

temporal context: name + became + role + date

Under Naftali Bennett, the Israeli government passed its first national budget in three years.

Common collocations
  • Bennett's coalition
  • Bennett's government

4. Richard Bedford Bennett, 1st Viscount Bennett (1870–1947), a Canadian politician

4.nounC1
Definition

Richard Bedford Bennett, 1st Viscount Bennett (1870–1947), a Canadian politician who served as the 11th prime minister of Canada from 1930 to 1935 during the Great Depression.

Example

Richard Bedford Bennett's government established the Bank of Canada in 1934 to stabilize banking.

possessive: [Name]'s government + historical action

Historical accounts of the Great Depression often discuss the policies of R. B. Bennett.

Common collocations
  • Bennett's government
  • Bennett administration

Usage Note

Often referred to as 'R. B. Bennett' or 'Viscount Bennett' in historical writing.

Etymology

LatinAnglo-NormanMiddle EnglishEnglish

Bennett is an English surname derived from the medieval given name 'Benedict,' which comes from Latin 'Benedictus' meaning 'blessed.' The surname spread in England after the Norman Conquest and is now shared by several notable historical figures across different countries and fields.