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
