morrison

IPA/mˈɒɹɪsən/
KK[mˈɔrɪsən]IPA/mˈɔːrɪsən/

morrison — noun

1. the American novelist, essayist, and professor who won the Nobel Prize in Litera

1.nounB1
Definition

the American novelist, essayist, and professor who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, known for novels such as 'Beloved' and 'Song of Solomon' that explore African American identity and history

Example

Toni Morrison's novel Beloved won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988.

possessive: [author]'s novel won [prize]

Yuna's literature professor assigned three Toni Morrison novels for the semester.

Common collocations
  • Morrison novel
  • Morrison's writing
  • read Morrison
  • Morrison scholar

Usage Note

Toni Morrison's works are frequently studied in university literature courses. Her birth name was Chloe Anthony Wofford; she adopted the pen name 'Toni' in college.

Common Mistakes

I am reading a book by Morrison.' (ambiguous — could be any Morrison).
I am reading Beloved by Toni Morrison.
always specify the first name when discussing authors.

2. the Australian politician who served as the 30th Prime Minister of Australia fro

2.nounB2
Definition

the Australian politician who served as the 30th Prime Minister of Australia from 2018 to 2022, leading the Liberal Party

Example

Scott Morrison became Prime Minister of Australia after replacing Malcolm Turnbull.

collocation: became Prime Minister; replacing [person]

During the 2019-2020 bushfire crisis, Morrison faced heavy criticism for his handling of the disaster.

Common collocations
  • Morrison government
  • Prime Minister Morrison
  • Morrison's policy

Usage Note

In Australian media, Scott Morrison is commonly referred to by his last name alone. He was also known by the nickname 'ScoMo' in informal contexts.

Common Mistakes

Scott Morrison was the president of Australia.
Scott Morrison was the Prime Minister of Australia.
Australia has a Prime Minister, not a president.

3. the Scottish missionary and linguist who arrived in China in 1807, compiled the

3.nounB2
Definition

the Scottish missionary and linguist who arrived in China in 1807, compiled the first Chinese-English dictionary, and translated the Bible into Chinese

Example

Robert Morrison spent twenty-seven years completing his Chinese-English dictionary.

collocation: spend [time] + -ing; completing a dictionary

The Morrison Collection at the University of Hong Kong holds books he brought from Europe.

Common collocations
  • Morrison's dictionary
  • Morrison's translation
  • Morrison Collection

Usage Note

In historical writing about China, Robert Morrison is sometimes referred to simply as 'Morrison' when the context is clearly about early Protestant missionary work.

Word family

  • Morris
    nounB2
  • Morrisonian
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

When referring to the novelist, 'Toni Morrison' (full name) is the standard form for academic writing and formal contexts. 'Morrison' alone is common in literary criticism after the author has been introduced — for example, 'Morrison's use of magical realism in Beloved...' Chloe Wofford was her birth name, but she never published under it, so it is only used in biographical discussions. 'Beloved author' is an informal descriptor used in book reviews and discussions, not in scholarly writing. In Taiwanese classrooms, students typically say 'Toni Morrison' the first time in an essay and may use 'Morrison' in later references.

Morrison ↗Toni MorrisonChloe WoffordBeloved author

Common collocations

Phrases

  • Morrison's work
  • Morrison's novel
  • Morrison government
  • Morrison's dictionary
  • the Morrison Collection

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishModern English

Morrison is an English and Scottish patronymic surname meaning 'son of Morris'. Morris itself comes from the medieval name Maurice, which traces back to the Latin 'Mauritius', meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'Moorish'. The name arrived in England with the Normans after 1066. As a given name or surname in English, Morrison has no connection to the unrelated Chinese name 莫里森 (Mòlǐsēn), which was chosen as a transcription because of its similar sound.