Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

octaroon

noun
/ˌɒk.təˈruːn/
Definition
A person who is one-eighth black by descent, often used historically in contexts of racial classification.
Examples
  • She was proud of her heritage, considering herself an octaroon.
  • The societal perception of an octaroon varied greatly in the 19th century.
Meaning
The term is used to describe someone with one great-grandparent who is black, indicating a mixed ancestry that includes a small fraction of African heritage.
Synonyms
  • mixed-race
  • biracial
  • mestizo