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Glite Dictionary
Rob Roy MacGregor

Rob Roy MacGregor

9.2
A leader of a Scottish clan and an outlaw who fought the government in the early 1700s
  • proper noun
translation icon : Rob Roy MacGregor
  • Sir Walter Scott's novel immortalized Rob Roy MacGregor as a symbol of Scottish resistance.

Examples

  • Many Scottish folk tales celebrate the exploits of Rob Roy MacGregor.

  • The legend of Rob Roy MacGregor continues to capture the imagination of visitors to the Highlands.

  • Did you know Rob Roy MacGregor?

  • What about Rob Roy MacGregor?

  • Many Scottish folk tales celebrate the exploits of Rob Roy MacGregor.

  • Sir Walter Scott's novel immortalized Rob Roy MacGregor as a symbol of Scottish resistance.

  • The legend of Rob Roy MacGregor continues to capture the imagination of visitors to the Highlands.

Synonyms

Rob Roy
vsRob Roy MacGregor
9.3

A Scottish clan leader and outlaw who became a folk hero after Sir Walter Scott's novel

emphasizes historical clan leadership and resistance against authorities rather than only literary fame

Surface Forms

Rob Roy MacGregor main

Morphology

Rob + Roy + MacGregor

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical person; knowing the constituent name elements ('Rob', 'Roy', 'MacGregor') does not allow a B1 learner to infer biographical information such as being a Scottish clan leader or outlaw. Proper names are lexicalized and culturally specific, so the meaning is arbitrary and not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Rob Roy MacGregor was a real Scottish clan leader and outlaw in the late 1600s and early 1700s who fought against rich landowners and the authorities. Because of his bold actions and the many popular stories about him, his name came to stand for 'resistance' and a 'folk hero' in books and local tales.