[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

maccabees \mac"cabees\, n. pl.
   1. the name given in later times to the asmonaeans, a family
      of jewish patriots, who headed a religious revolt in the
      reign of antiochus iv., 168-161 b. c., which led to a
      period of freedom for israel. --schaff-herzog.
      1913 webster

   2. the name of two ancient historical books, which give
      accounts of jewish affairs in or about the time of the
      maccabean princes, and which are received as canonical
      books in the roman catholic church, but are included in
      the apocrypha by protestants. also applied to three books,
      two of which are found in some mss. of the septuagint.
      1913 webster maccaboy

[2] : Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

maccabees
   this word does not occur in scripture. it was the name given to
   the leaders of the national party among the jews who suffered in
   the persecution under antiochus epiphanes, who succeeded to the
   syrian throne b.c. 175. it is supposed to have been derived from
   the hebrew word makkabah meaning "hammer," as suggestive of
   the heroism and power of this jewish family, who are, however,
   more properly called asmoneans or hasmonaeans, the origin of
   which is much disputed.
   
     after the expulsion of antiochus epiphanes from egypt by the
   romans, he gave vent to his indignation on the jews, great
   numbers of whom he mercilessly put to death in jerusalem. he
   oppressed them in every way, and tried to abolish altogether the
   jewish worship. mattathias, an aged priest, then residing at
   modin, a city to the west of jerusalem, became now the
   courageous leader of the national party; and having fled to the
   mountains, rallied round him a large band of men prepared to
   fight and die for their country and for their religion, which
   was now violently suppressed. in 1 macc. 2:60 is recorded his
   dying counsels to his sons with reference to the war they were
   now to carry on. his son judas, "the maccabee," succeeded him
   b.c. 166 as the leader in directing the war of independence,
   which was carried on with great heroism on the part of the jews,
   and was terminated in the defeat of the syrians.
   

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