[Footnote 7: One interpretation of this word gives it a Jewish origin,
and makes of it the Dance of the Maccabees, established to commemorate
the martyrdom of the seven brothers of the Maccabees, together with
Eleazar and their mother, who went out to death in succession. This was
imitated by a solemn dance of priests and civil authorities, who went
out in turn and disappeared as if to death. Afterwards, in mediæval
times, the dance was emphasized by the introduction of the figure of
Death as the leader of it. Another interpretation derives the word from
the Arabic _Makbar_, pl. _Makabir_, place of interment.]