1.  The name given in later times to the Asmonæans, 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]

maccabees, n.pl. (in full Books of the Maccabees) four books of Jewish history and theology, of which the first and second are in the Apocrypha.

Derivative:
Maccabean adj.

Etymology:
the name of a Jewish family that led a revolt c.170 BC under Judas Maccabaeus

1 maccabees, 2 maccabees, i maccabees, ii maccabees