Definitions for Stephen
ˈsti vənStephen

Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Stephen, Sir Leslie Stephen(noun)

   English writer (1832-1904)

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Stephen(ProperNoun)

   The first Christian martyr.

   Etymology: From Latin Stephanus, from Ancient Greek Στέφανος ( Stéphanos ) , from στέφανος ( stéphanos , " crown, wreath") , from στέφω ( stéphō , " to put round, to surround") (from Proto-Indo-European *steb-, *stebʰ-, *stemb-, *stembʰ- ("to support; to stomp; to curse; to be amazed") ) + -νος ( -nos , " suffix forming an adjective or noun") (from Proto-Indo-European *-nós ("suffix forming a verbal adjective from a verb stem") ).

2. Stephen(ProperNoun)

   A male given name from Ancient Greek.

   I, for my part, ask any candid reader if it was not bad enough to be called Broadfoot, without having it aggravated into Stephen Broadfoot? I feel confident I will here get a tear of sympathy from all unhappy Andrews and Peters, and Aarons and Samuels, with a smile of disdainful compassion from thrice-happy Franks and Charleys and Bills.

   Etymology: From Latin Stephanus, from Ancient Greek Στέφανος ( Stéphanos ) , from στέφανος ( stéphanos , " crown, wreath") , from στέφω ( stéphō , " to put round, to surround") (from Proto-Indo-European *steb-, *stebʰ-, *stemb-, *stembʰ- ("to support; to stomp; to curse; to be amazed") ) + -νος ( -nos , " suffix forming an adjective or noun") (from Proto-Indo-European *-nós ("suffix forming a verbal adjective from a verb stem") ).

3. Stephen(ProperNoun)

   A patronymic surname.

   Etymology: From Latin Stephanus, from Ancient Greek Στέφανος ( Stéphanos ) , from στέφανος ( stéphanos , " crown, wreath") , from στέφω ( stéphō , " to put round, to surround") (from Proto-Indo-European *steb-, *stebʰ-, *stemb-, *stembʰ- ("to support; to stomp; to curse; to be amazed") ) + -νος ( -nos , " suffix forming an adjective or noun") (from Proto-Indo-European *-nós ("suffix forming a verbal adjective from a verb stem") ).

The Nuttall Encyclopedia(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Stephen

   king of England from 1135 to 1154, nephew of Henry I., his mother being Adela, daughter of William I.; acquired French possessions through the favour of his uncle and by his marriage; in 1127 swore fealty to his cousin Matilda, daughter of Henry I., as his future sovereign, but on the death of his uncle usurped the throne, an action leading to a violent civil war, which brought the country into a state of anarchy; the Scots invaded on behalf of Matilda, but were beaten back at Northallerton (the Battle of the Standard, 1138); foreign mercenaries introduced by the king only served to embitter the struggle; the clergy, despoiled by the king, turned against him, and in the absence of a strong central authority the barons oppressed the people and fought with one another; "Adulterine Castles" sprang up over the country, and "men said openly that Christ and His saints were asleep"; in 1141 Matilda won the battle of Lincoln and for a few months ruled the country, but "as much too harsh as Stephen was too lenient," she rapidly became unpopular, and Stephen was soon again in the ascendant; the successes of Henry, son of Matilda, led in 1153 to the treaty of Wallingford, by which it was arranged that Stephen should retain the crown for life, while Henry should be his heir; both joined in suppressing the turbulent barons and the "Adulterine Castles"; more fortunately circumstanced, Stephen had many qualities which might have made him a popular and successful king (1105-1154).

2. Stephen

   the name of nine Popes; S. I., Pope from 253 to 257, signalised by his zeal against the heresies of his time; S. II., Pope from 752 to 757, in whose reign, under favour of Pepin le Bref, began the temporal power of the Popes; S. III., Pope from 768 to 772, sanctioned the worship of saints and images; S. IV., Pope from 816 to 817; S. V., Pope from 885 to 891, distinguished for his charity; S. VI., Pope from 896 to 897, strangled after a reign of 18 months; S. VII., Pope from 829 to 831, entirely under the control of his mistresses; S. VIII., Pope from 939 to 942; S. IX., Pope from 1057 to 1058, vigorously opposed the sale of benefices and the immorality of the clergy.

Suggested Resources(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. stephen

   Quotes by stephen -- Explore a large variety of famous quotes made by stephen on the Quotes.net website.

2. stephen

   Song lyrics by stephen -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by stephen on the Lyrics.com website.

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Stephen' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2122

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Stephen' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3126

How to pronounce Stephen?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say Stephen in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Stephen in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Stephen in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of Stephen in a Sentence

1. Stephen King:

   People are saying to me' we're living in a Stephen King world,' and all I can say is, boy, I wish we weren't.

2. Michael Zehaf-Bibeau:

   ?To those who are involved and listen to this movie, this is in retaliation for Afghanistan and because (Canadian Prime Minister Stephen) Harper wants to send his troops to Iraq, so we are retaliating, the Mujahedin of this world ... just aiming to hit some soldiers just to show that you're not even safe in your own land, and you gotta be careful.

3. Lady Gaga:

   I'm so sorry, jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert weren't quite ready yet, and I really appreciate you being so nice about it. Thank you. I love you ; I love your viewers and everyone at home watching ; I just wish everybody well.

4. Marilyn Satin Kushner:

   Instead of looking in, Stephen looked out, these are great photographs of a very historic moment.

5. Theresa May:

   We will use this day to encourage and support young people in achieving their dreams, and to reflect on Stephen's life, death and the positive change he has inspired.

Images & Illustrations of Stephen

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