field Negro

noun

dated, usually offensive
: an enslaved Black person who worked in the fields as distinguished from one who worked about the house of the slaveholder

Word History

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of field Negro was in 1730

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near field Negro

Cite this Entry

“Field Negro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field%20Negro. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!