Macbeth

Revision History

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6/9/2023, 2:32 PM Mike C update #114
1/21/2022, 9:40 PM Mike C update #111
11/16/2019, 11:04 AM Mike C update #105
1/22/2019, 10:01 AM Mike C update #101
12/3/2014, 12:28 AM Mike C added

Gender Masculine
Usage History
Pronounced Pron. /mək.ˈbɛθ/(English)

Meaning & History

Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic given name Mac Beatha meaning "son of life", implying holiness. This was the name of an 11th-century Scottish king who came to power after defeating and killing King Duncan in battle. Years later he was himself slain in battle with Duncan's son Malcolm. Shakespeare based his play Macbeth (1606) loosely on this king's life, drawing from the tales related in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587).