Mac-

a prefix found in many family names of Irish or Scottish Gaelic origin, as MacBride and Macdonald.

Also, Mc-, M^c-, M'-.

[ < Ir, ScotGael mac son, OIr macc; akin to Welsh, Cornish mab]

* * *

mac «mak», noun.

British Informal. a mackintosh: »

The raincoat, or mac, is as essential to an Englishman as his teeth (H. Allen Smith).

Mac «mak», noun.

1. son of (used in Scottish and Irish family names): »

Her Macs let Scotland boast (Henry Fielding).

2. U.S. Slang. fellow (used as a form of direct address): »

“If you don't like the way the subway's being run, Mac, why don't you buy it?” (New Yorker).

╂[< Mac-]

MAC «mak», noun, or M.A.C.,

1. Military Airlift Command (a unit of the U.S. Air Force).

2. multiple-access computer (a computer system which allows simultaneous use from several inputs).

Mac-,

prefix.

son of (used in Scottish and Irish family names). Also, Mc-.

╂[< Scottish Gaelic, and Irish mac son]

Mac.,

Maccabees (books of the Apocrypha).