vernon
vernon — noun
1. Edward Vernon (1684–1757), a British naval officer who became an admiral in the
Edward Vernon (1684–1757), a British naval officer who became an admiral in the Royal Navy and captured the Spanish port of Porto Bello in 1739 during a conflict between Britain and Spain over trade routes in the Caribbean.
Admiral Vernon captured Porto Bello with only six ships in 1739, a victory that made him a hero across Britain.
biographical reference: historical figure
The American plantation home Mount Vernon was named in honour of Admiral Vernon.
place name origin from person's name
Admiral Vernon ordered sailors' rum mixed with water, a drink they called 'grog' after his nickname 'Old Grog.'
historical legacy: origin of the term 'grog'
When news of Vernon's victory reached London, crowds lit bonfires and rang church bells.
public reaction to historical event
Usage Note
Primarily encountered in historical texts about 18th-century British naval history. The name also survives in numerous place names, most famously Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate in Virginia.
2. a town in north-central Connecticut, United States, located about 13 kilometres
a town in north-central Connecticut, United States, located about 13 kilometres northeast of Hartford, with a population of roughly 29,000 residents.
Vernon, Connecticut, was first settled in 1726 and later became a centre for the textile industry.
geographical reference with historical context
The Ilan family moved to Vernon for its good schools and quiet neighbourhoods.
place used as home location
Lukas drives through Vernon every morning on his way to work in Hartford.
commuter town location near Hartford
Each August the Vernon carnival features a parade on Main Street, live music, and food from local churches.
local community event with specific details
Usage Note
This is one of many towns named Vernon across the United States. The name was adopted from the admired Admiral Edward Vernon after his popular military victory.
3. a city in south-central British Columbia, Canada, situated in the Okanagan Valle
a city in south-central British Columbia, Canada, situated in the Okanagan Valley between Okanagan Lake and Kalamalka Lake, with a population of about 38,000 people.
Vernon, British Columbia, lies between two lakes where locals hike in summer and ski at SilverStar in winter.
geographical setting with specific landmarks
Emre spent his summer holidays working at a fruit orchard near Vernon.
place used as general location reference
Every winter the ski slopes outside Vernon fill with visitors from Vancouver.
regional tourism reference
Jisoo found a job as a nurse at the hospital in Vernon last year.
employment location in Canadian city
Usage Note
Not to be confused with the similarly named Vernon in Connecticut (sense 2). The Canadian Vernon is a larger urban centre in a mountain-valley setting, whereas the American one is a smaller New England town.
Common Mistakes
Etymology
The name Vernon comes from Vernon, a commune in Normandy, France. It was introduced to England by Norman settlers after the Norman Conquest of 1066, first as a surname and later as a place name carried by English colonists to North America. The widespread use of Vernon as a town name in the United States and Canada is largely due to the fame of Admiral Edward Vernon in the 18th century.