Octoroon

Pronunciation: /ɑk.təˈrun/

Definitions of octoroon

noun a person who is one-eighth black by descent

Example Sentences

A1 An octoroon is a person who is one-eighth black.

A2 The play 'The Octoroon' explores themes of race and identity.

B1 In the 19th century, octoroons faced discrimination due to their mixed heritage.

B2 The protagonist in the novel is depicted as an octoroon struggling to find acceptance in society.

C1 The historical context of the term octoroon reveals the complexities of racial identity in America.

C2 Scholars have debated the implications of using the term octoroon in contemporary discourse on race.

Examples of octoroon in a Sentence

formal The novel explores the complexities of race and identity through the character of the octoroon protagonist.

informal My great-grandmother was actually an octoroon, which means I have a mix of different heritages.

slang She's only like one-eighth black, so some people might call her an octoroon.

figurative The painting was a beautiful octoroon of colors, blending together in perfect harmony.

Grammatical Forms of octoroon

• past tense: octorooned
• plural: octoroons
• comparative: more octoroon
• superlative: most octoroon
• present tense: octoroons
• future tense: will octoroon
• perfect tense: have octorooned
• continuous tense: is octorooning
• singular: octoroon
• positive degree: octoroon
• infinitive: to octoroon
• gerund: octorooning
• participle: octorooned

Origin and Evolution of octoroon

First Known Use: 1837 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The word 'octoroon' originated in the United States during the period of slavery and racial segregation.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe a person who is one-eighth black by descent, the term 'octoroon' has evolved over time and is now considered outdated and offensive due to its racial connotations.