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Boswell

American  
[boz-wel, -wuhl] / ˈbɒzˌwɛl, -wəl /

noun

  1. James, 1740–95, Scottish author: biographer of Samuel Johnson.

  2. any devoted biographer of a specific person.


Boswell British  
/ ˈbɒzwəl, bɒzˈwɛlɪən /

noun

  1. James . 1740–95, Scottish author and lawyer, noted particularly for his Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Example Sentences

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He thinks of himself as the investigator’s Boswell, but “it was just my luck to be the only biographer in the world whose subject was determined not to tell me anything about himself.”

From The Wall Street Journal May 1, 2026

Boswell Co. and grower John Vidovich, who runs the company Sandridge Partners.

From Los Angeles Times May 1, 2026

On the other hand, the RSF wanted to seize Kordofan as it would give it "new momentum" and put it "within striking distance of central Sudan, including the capital, again", Mr Boswell said.

From BBC Jul. 22, 2025

"As the design agency, Sandia is responsible for the component until the weapon is retired. Sandia is accountable for ensuring that the weapon with the fuze attached is safe, secure and reliable," Boswell said.

From Science Daily Apr. 23, 2024

She was about to remind me of it but I said Boswell aloud, very slowly as if in a recital or bee.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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