GULLIVER Meaning and
Definition
-
Gulliver is a noun that typically refers to the main character in Jonathan Swift's satirical novel "Gulliver's Travels." In the 1726 novel, Lemuel Gulliver is portrayed as an English ship surgeon who embarks on several extraordinary adventures, including finding himself on the fictional lands of Lilliput, Brobdingnag, Laputa, and the Houyhnhnms.
Beyond the character in Swift's novel, "Gulliver" can also be used more generally to describe a person who is seen as a traveler or an explorer, particularly one who encounters and interacts with various strange or foreign cultures. It can be used to describe someone venturing into unknown territories, both physical and metaphorical, in a quest for knowledge and experience. In this context, a "gulliver" can be someone who seeks adventure and growth through exploration.
Additionally, "gulliver" can sometimes be used in a more derogatory sense, referring to an individual who is easily deceived or manipulated. This usage stems from the character Lemuel Gulliver's tendency to be gullible and easily misled by the inhabitants of the exotic countries he visits.
Overall, "gulliver" can refer specifically to the protagonist in "Gulliver's Travels," a more general traveler or explorer, or someone who is naïve and easily duped.
Top Common Misspellings for GULLIVER *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for GULLIVER
Etymology of GULLIVER
The word "Gulliver" comes from the name of the main character in Jonathan Swift's novel "Gulliver's Travels", first published in 1726. The novel follows the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, a ship's surgeon who finds himself in various fantastical lands inhabited by different-sized people.
However, in terms of the origin of the name "Gulliver" itself, there isn't a clear etymology. Some theories suggest it might be derived from the surname "Collier", as Lemuel Gulliver shares similarities with a friend of Swift named Thomas Gulliver, who was involved in the printing industry. Others speculate that the name was inspired by the word "gormandize" (meaning to eat gluttonously), as Gulliver encounters various societies with different eating habits during his travels. Ultimately, the specific origin of the name "Gulliver" remains uncertain.
Similar spelling words for GULLIVER
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
