Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
picaninny
Noun
/ˌpɪkəˈnɪni/
Definition
A term historically used to refer to a small child, especially a Black child, often considered derogatory.
Examples
- The term ‘picaninny’ has fallen out of use due to its offensive nature.
- Historically, in literature, it was used to depict Black children in a derogatory manner.
Meaning
The word is derived from the Spanish ‘pequeñín’, meaning ‘little one’. It has been used in a variety of contexts but is largely viewed as offensive due to its racial connotations.
Synonyms
- Child
- Kid
- Toddler
