n [ pl ]
a series of three rebellions which took place in Scotland after James II lost power to William III in 1688. In them the Jacobites tried to return the Stuarts to power in 1689, in 1715 (under the Old Pretender , James II’s son) and in 1745 (under Bonny Prince Charlie , James II’s grandson). After some success under Bonny Prince Charlie the Jacobites were finally defeated at the battle of Culloden in 1746.