octoroon Definition
- 1a person who is one-eighth black by descent
- 2a racial category used in the 19th century to classify people of mixed race ancestry
Using octoroon: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "octoroon" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In the 19th century, octoroons were often discriminated against and denied certain rights due to their mixed-race heritage.
Example
The character in the play was an octoroon, struggling with issues of identity and belonging.
Origins of octoroon
from octo- (meaning 'eight') and -roon (a variation of the Spanish word for 'person', 'rón')
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Summary: octoroon in Brief
'Octoroon' [ok-tuh-roon] refers to a person who is one-eighth black by descent or a racial category used in the 19th century to classify people of mixed race ancestry. The term has been used to describe individuals who have faced discrimination and identity struggles due to their mixed-race heritage.
