mulatto

noun

mu·​lat·​to mə-ˈlä-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce mulatto (audio)
mu̇-,
myu̇-,
-ˈla- How to pronounce mulatto (audio)
plural mulattoes or mulattos
1
usually offensive : the first-generation offspring of a Black person and a white person
2
usually offensive : a person of mixed white and Black ancestry

Word History

Etymology

Spanish mulato, from mulo mule, from Latin mulus

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mulatto was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near mulatto

mulatta

mulatto

mulatto land crab

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Cite this Entry

“Mulatto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mulatto. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mulatto

Nglish: Translation of mulatto for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mulatto

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