yale

IPA/jˈeɪl/
KK[jˈel]IPA/jˈeɪl/

yale — noun

1. the surname of Elihu Yale (1649–1721), a British colonial administrator who was

1.nounB1
Definition

the surname of Elihu Yale (1649–1721), a British colonial administrator who was born in Massachusetts and worked for the East India Company in India. His donation of books, goods, and money to a small college in Connecticut led the institution to rename itself after him, eventually becoming Yale University.

Example

Elihu Yale was born in Boston in 1649 and later worked for the East India Company.

simple past describing a historical figure's biography

Yale University took its name from Elihu Yale after his donation of books and goods.

proper noun + possessive: 'took its name from'

Common collocations
  • Yale University
  • Yale College
  • named after Yale

Usage Note

Learners most often encounter 'Yale' as the name of the famous university rather than the historical figure himself. The university is commonly referred to simply as 'Yale' in everyday speech (e.g., 'She goes to Yale').

Common Mistakes

Yale University was founded by Elihu Yale.
Yale University was named after Elihu Yale, but it existed as a college before he donated to it.
Elihu Yale was a donor, not the founder.

Word family

  • Yalie
    nounC1

Etymology

WelshEnglish

The surname Yale comes from a place name in northeast Wales: the district of Iâl (in modern Wrexham County Borough). The name was brought to North America by early English settlers in the 1600s. Elihu Yale was a descendant of this Welsh family.