Definition

Proper noun: - Robert Macgregor: A historical figure, a Scottish clan leader and outlaw from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He is most widely known as the subject of Sir Walter Scott's 1817 novel Rob Roy, which romanticized his life and exploits.

Usage Notes

• This term refers specifically to the historical person. When used, it typically invokes the romanticized, literary version of the figure popularized by Walter Scott's novel.
• It is often used in historical, literary, or cultural discussions about Scotland, clan history, or the works of Sir Walter Scott.

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The story of Robert Macgregor is a blend of historical fact and literary fiction.
  • Sir Walter Scott's novel made Robert Macgregor, or Rob Roy, a legendary Scottish folk hero.

Advanced Usage

• The name is frequently used metonymically to represent the archetype of the romantic Scottish Highland outlaw or a principled rebel against authority.
  • In his defiance of the authorities, he was seen as a modern-day Robert Macgregor.

Variants and Related Words

• Rob Roy: This is the anglicized nickname and the more common name for Robert Macgregor, especially in literary and popular contexts. It is the title of Walter Scott's novel.
  • The adventures of Rob Roy have been adapted into several films.

Synonyms

• Rob Roy (as a direct alternate name)
• The Scottish Robin Hood (a descriptive analogy highlighting his outlaw status and popular reputation for redistributing wealth)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• While there are no direct idioms from the name itself, the figure of Rob Roy is central to the cultural idiom of the "Scottish outlaw hero."
• The phrase "to play Rob Roy" can sometimes be used informally to describe acting with bold, reckless, or rebellious independence.
  • He decided to play Rob Roy and quit his job to start his own business.

Noun

1. Scottish clan leader and outlaw who was the subject of a 1817 novel by Sir Walter Scott (1671-1734)