holmes

IPA/hˈəʊmz/
KK[hˈomz]IPA/hˈoʊmz/

holmes — noun

1. the name of an American physician, poet, and essayist (1809–1894) who taught med

1.noun
Definition

the name of an American physician, poet, and essayist (1809–1894) who taught medicine at Harvard and wrote popular poems and essays, including 'The Chambered Nautilus' and 'The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table'.

Example

Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote poems and essays that were widely read in the 1800s.

proper noun: Holmes as historical author

As a Harvard professor, Dr. Holmes argued that doctors should wash their hands between patients.

collocation: argued that + medical practice

Common collocations
  • Dr. Holmes
  • Holmes argued that
  • Holmes wrote
Synonyms

Usage Note

When referring to the father, context usually includes his medical and literary work. Use 'Oliver Wendell Holmes' without 'Jr.' to distinguish from his son.

Common Mistakes

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. wrote poems and essays.
Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote poems and essays.
the father was the author and physician; the son was a Supreme Court justice.

2. the name of an American jurist (1841–1935) who served on the United States Supre

2.noun
Definition

the name of an American jurist (1841–1935) who served on the United States Supreme Court for thirty years and whose opinions on free speech, contract law, and the common law remain highly influential.

Example

Justice Holmes wrote that falsely shouting 'fire' in a crowded theatre is not protected speech.

key legal opinion: clear-and-present-danger test

Law students still read the Supreme Court opinions written by Justice Holmes.

Common collocations
  • Justice Holmes
  • Holmes dissented
  • Holmes wrote
Synonyms

Usage Note

Commonly identified by 'Justice Holmes' or 'Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.' in legal writing. Distinguish from sense 1 (the father) by the 'Jr.' suffix and by references to the Supreme Court or legal doctrine.

Common Mistakes

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes was a poet.
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. was a Supreme Court justice.
the son is known for law, not literature.

Word family

  • Holmesian
    adjective

Etymology

Middle EnglishEnglish

The surname Holmes comes from Middle English holm, meaning 'holly' or 'small island in a river'. It was used as a place-name and later became a family name. The two men known as Oliver Wendell Holmes are a father and son pair — the elder (1809–1894) was a physician and author, and his son (1841–1935) became a Supreme Court justice — so the same surname refers to two related but distinct historical figures.