Brutus

American  

[broo-tuhs] / ˈbru təs /

noun

1. Marcus Junius 85?–42 b.c., Roman provincial administrator: one of the assassins of Julius Caesar.

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Brutus British  

/ ˈbruːtəs /

noun

1. Lucius Junius (ˈluːʃəs ˈdʒuːnɪəs). late 6th century _bc , Roman statesman who ousted the tyrant Tarquin (509) and helped found the Roman republic

2. Marcus Junius (ˈmɑːkəs ˈdʒuːnɪəs) ?85–42 _bc , Roman statesman who, with Cassius, led the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar (44): committed suicide after being defeated by Antony and Octavian (Augustus) at Philippi (42)

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Brutus ¹ Cultural  

1. A character in the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare; one of the assassins of Julius Caesar. (See “Brutus is an honorable man,” “Et tu, Brute?” and “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.”)

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Brutus ² Cultural  

1. An ancient Roman politician who helped assassinate his friend Julius Caesar.

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Caesar is said to have addressed Brutus with the words Et tu, Brute? (“Even you, Brutus?”) as Brutus stabbed him. This sentence has become a proverbial response to betrayal.

Brutus is a leading character in the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare.

Example Sentences

The tragic hero in Shakespeare’s magnificent play isn’t Julius Caesar but Marcus Junius Brutus, one of the conspirators who plots to assassinate the Roman dictator.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

A much-smaller Hogan returned in 1993 to team with his friend Brutus Beefcake to take on Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster at WrestleMania in Las Vegas.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2025

Nowadays, Van Schoor spends most of his time watching rugby, smoking and playing with his pet rottweiler, Brutus.

From BBC • Jul. 21, 2024

“One is the sense of belonging or a thwarted sense of belonging, meaning that they don’t feel like they belong anywhere,” Brutus said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 30, 2023

Harlan Betchel’s Doberman watchdog, Brutus, danced excitedly in the front plate glass window of the Pilar Cafe, barking and snarling while Joe heaved.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols