octoroon

[ ok-tuh-roon ]

noun

, Older Use: Offensive.

1. a person having one-eighth Black ancestry, with one Black great-grandparent; the offspring of a quadroon and a white person.

octoroon

/ ˌɒktəˈruːn /

noun

1. a person having one quadroon and one White parent and therefore having one-eighth Black blood Compare quadroon

Word History and Origins

Origin of octoroon¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; octo- + (quad)roon

Word History and Origins

Origin of octoroon¹

C19: octo- + -roon as in quadroon

Example Sentences

But once you get into octoroon territory, it holds far less mystique.

From The Daily Beast

I have neglected to tell you that the mother hen is black, and struts with pompous pride above her white and octoroon subjects.

From Project Gutenberg

Vividly told, with a beautiful Octoroon as the central figure.

From Project Gutenberg

The face was that of an octoroon; her figure tall and full of dignity.

From Project Gutenberg

A pause and the tall figure of the octoroon crossed the white walk.

From Project Gutenberg

The mother of this man is an octoroon, who now resides with him at his home in the suburbs.

From Project Gutenberg