mulatto

[mjuːˈlætəʊ]

mulatto Definition

a person of mixed white and black ancestry, especially a person with one white and one black parent.

Using mulatto: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mulatto" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    Her father was white and her mother was black, making her a mulatto.

  • Example

    The book explores the experiences of mulattoes in the United States during the 19th century.

  • Example

    He identifies as biracial, with a white mother and a black father, but some people still refer to him as a mulatto.

mulatto Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for mulatto

Phrases with mulatto

  • a term used to describe a light-skinned person of mixed race, often with European and African ancestry

    Example

    She was often mistaken for being white because she was a high yellow mulatto.

  • a person who is one-quarter black by descent

    Example

    In the past, quadroons were often treated differently than mulattoes because they had less African ancestry.

  • a person who is one-eighth black by descent

    Example

    The concept of octoroons was used in the United States to determine a person's legal status as either black or white.

Origins of mulatto

from Spanish 'mulato', meaning 'young mule'

📌

Summary: mulatto in Brief

'Mulatto' [mjuːˈlætəʊ] refers to a person of mixed white and black ancestry, particularly those with one white and one black parent. It is often used to describe individuals who identify as biracial or half-caste. The term has been used historically to classify people based on their racial identity. Phrases like 'high yellow mulatto' denote light-skinned individuals of mixed race.