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Definition of macdonnell

macdonnell

/məkˈdɑːn.əl/
mac · don · nell
Plural:MacDonnells
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macdonnell Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A surname of Scottish and Irish origin, identifying members of a historically prominent clan with roots in the Scottish Highlands and Antrim, Ireland.

Example

"Historical records indicate that the MacDonnell clan wielded considerable influence in the coastal territories of Ireland."

2

Australian A prominent mountain range located in the Northern Territory of Australia, known for its spectacular gorges, ancient landscapes, and profound cultural significance to the indigenous Arrernte people.

Word Nuance & Usage

Always capitalized as 'MacDonnell'. When referring to the Australian geographic feature, it is typically used in the plural as the 'MacDonnell Ranges'.

• Rhymes for macdonnell

• Nearby Words

macaw snake
macchiato
maccoa
macdonnell
mace
mach
mache

Word Origin & Etymology

An Anglicized form of the Gaelic patronymic 'Mac Dhomhnaill', meaning 'son of Domhnall' (Donald). The prominent Australian mountain range was named in 1860 by explorer John McDouall Stuart in honor of Sir Richard MacDonnell, then Governor of South Australia.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Macdonnell. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/macdonnell
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