Melungeon

[ muh-luhn-juhn ]

noun

1. Sometimes Offensive. a member of a people of mixed white, Black, and American Indian ancestry living in the southern Appalachians.

adjective

1. of or relating to a people of mixed white, Black, and American Indian ancestry living in the southern Appalachians.

melungeon

/ məˈlʌndʒən /

noun

1. any of a dark-skinned group of people of the Appalachians in E Tennessee, of mixed Indian, White, and Black ancestry

Usage Note

Melungeon is used as a plural noun (a candidate favored by Melungeons ), but it's sometimes offensive as a singular noun (the candidate who is a Melungeon ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Melungeon¹

First recorded in 1810–20; origin uncertain; perhaps ultimately from French mélange “mixture”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Melungeon¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Portugee blood—touch o' that melungeon tribe from over in the Fur Cove.

From Project Gutenberg