- William
- WilliamWilliam1 [wil′yəm]n.[NormFr Willaume < OHG Willehelm < willeo, WILL1 + helm, protection: see HELM1]a masculine name: dim. Bill, Billie, Billy, Liam, Will, Willie, Willy; equiv. Du. Willem, Fr. Guillaume, Ger. Wilhelm, It. Guglielmo, Sp. GuillermoWilliam2 [wil′yəm]1. William I 1027?-87; duke of Normandy who invaded England & defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings: king of England (1066-87): called William the Conqueror2. William I 1533-84; prince of Orange (1544-84) & count of Nassau (1559-84): founder and 1st stadholder (1579-84) of the Netherlands republic: called William the Silent3. William I 1797-1888; king of Prussia (1861-88) & emperor of Germany (1871-88): son of Frederick William III4. William II 1056-1100; king of England (1087-1100): son of William the Conqueror: called William Rufus5. William II 1859-1941; emperor of Germany & king of Prussia (1888-1918): called Kaiser Wilhelm6. William III 1650-1702; king of England, Scotland, & Ireland (1689-1702): stadholder of the Netherlands (1672-1702): see MARY II7. William IV 1765-1837; king of Great Britain & Ireland (1830-37): son of George III
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.