God Save the King
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- God Save the Queen (when the current monarch is a queen)
Proper noun[edit]
- The national anthem of the United Kingdom when the current monarch is a king.
- 1941, George Orwell, The Lion and the Unicorn:
- It is a strange fact, but it is unquestionably true that almost any English intellectual would feel more ashamed of standing to attention during “God save the King” than of stealing from a poor box.
Interjection[edit]
- (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) An expression of one’s patriotism and hope for the long life of the monarch, especially in his presence.
- (UK) A formal statement at the end of many proclamations issued by the King or in his name.
- (UK) A formal declaration following the death of a reigning monarch when the next monarch is male.
- The Queen is dead! God save the King!
Usage notes[edit]
Used in countries of the British Commonwealth and historically in countries of the former British Empire.