quadroon Definition
- 1a person who is one-quarter black by descent
- 2an offensive term used historically in the United States
Using quadroon: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "quadroon" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In the 19th century, quadroons were often discriminated against and denied rights.
Example
She is a quadroon with a white mother and a mixed-race father.
Example
The novel explores the life of a quadroon woman in the antebellum South.
quadroon Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for quadroon
- mulatto
- mixed-race person
Phrases with quadroon
a person who is one-eighth black by descent
Example
In the United States, octoroons were considered legally white under the 'one-drop rule.'
Example
Many quadroons attempted to pass as white in order to avoid discrimination.
Example
The character of Pecola in Toni Morrison's 'The Bluest Eye' is an example of the tragic mulatto trope.
Origins of quadroon
from French 'quarteron', meaning 'a quarter'
Summary: quadroon in Brief
'Quadroon' [kwod-roon] is a noun that refers to a person who is one-quarter black by descent. The term is considered offensive and was used historically in the United States to discriminate against mixed-race individuals. 'Quadroon' is often associated with phrases like 'passing as white' and 'tragic mulatto,' which describe the experiences of mixed-race people in American society.
