Caliban

[ kal-uh-ban ]

noun

1. a character in Shakespeare's The Tempest, described as the half-human native inhabitant of the island, who is enslaved by the character Prospero.

Caliban

/ ˈkælɪˌbæn /

noun

1. a brutish or brutalized man

Word History and Origins

Origin of Caliban¹

First recorded in 1610–15; probably a variant of cannibal ( def ) or Carib ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of Caliban¹

C19: after a character in Shakespeare's The Tempest (1611)

Example Sentences

“The isle is full of noises,” sings Caliban, and on Tuesday night it certainly was.

From New York Times

Characterizing Jones’ place in the theater world, the Times labeled him in 2012 “a stalwart New York actor” equally comfortable playing Othello or Caliban as he was playing a serial killer in a contemporary drama set on Rikers Island.

From Seattle Times

In the Act New Directions: 64 pages, $19 Binstead’s Safari New Directions: 224 pages, $16 Mrs. Caliban New Direction: 128 pages, $14 If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores.

From Los Angeles Times

“Mrs. Caliban” by Rachel Ingalls is an unusual book with an unusual publication history.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to “Caliban” and “Safari,” this month New Directions rereleased her 1987 short novel, “In the Act,” as part of its Storybook series.

From Los Angeles Times