Quadroon

Pronunciation: /kwɑːˈdruːn/

Definitions of quadroon

noun a person who is one-quarter black by descent.

Example Sentences

A1 A quadroon is a person with one black grandparent and three white grandparents.

A2 In some historical contexts, quadroons were subject to discriminatory laws.

B1 The novel explored the challenges faced by a quadroon in a society divided by race.

B2 Her quadroon ancestry was a source of both pride and prejudice in her family.

C1 The quadroon's struggle for acceptance and identity was a central theme in the film.

C2 Despite her quadroon heritage, she rose to prominence in a society that often marginalized those of mixed race.

Examples of quadroon in a Sentence

formal The historical term 'quadroon' was used to describe a person with one black grandparent.

informal My great-grandmother was a quadroon, which is why I have some African heritage.

slang Some people may use the term 'quadroon' in a derogatory manner, so it's important to be aware of its historical context.

figurative In literature, the character was often depicted as a quadroon, struggling with their identity and place in society.

Grammatical Forms of quadroon

• past tense: quadrooned
• plural: quadroons
• comparative: more quadroon
• superlative: most quadroon
• present tense: quadroon
• future tense: will quadroon
• perfect tense: have quadrooned
• continuous tense: is quadrooning
• singular: quadroon
• positive degree: quadroon
• infinitive: to quadroon
• gerund: quadrooning
• participle: quadrooning

Origin and Evolution of quadroon

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Latin and Spanish

Story behind the word: The word 'quadroon' originates from the Latin word 'quattuor' meaning 'four' and the Spanish word 'cuartón' meaning 'a person who is one-quarter black.'

Evolution of the word: Originally used in the context of racial classification to describe a person with one-quarter black ancestry, the term 'quadroon' has evolved to be considered offensive and outdated due to its association with the historical racial hierarchy and discrimination.