Blackamoor

/ˈblæk.əˌmɔː(ɹ)/ · noun

Meaning

(archaic, heraldry, now offensive) A person with dark black skin, especially one from north Africa..

Definitions by Sense

1. (archaic, heraldry, now offensive) A person with dark black skin, especially one from north Africa.
2. (now offensive) A black slave or servant, and hence any slave, servant, inferior, or child.

Example Sentences

Argent, three blackamoors’ heads couped sable, capped or, fretty gules.

Gage noted the clothing of the slaves of the Spanish nobles, and silk was common to them. "The gentlemen have their train of blackamoor slaves, some a dozen, some half a dozen, waiting on them, in brave and gallant liveries, heavy with gold and silver lace, with silk stockings on their black legs, and roses on their feet, and swords by their sides."

`Well, Job,' I said, `perhaps it would be as well. There are lots of blankets there, only be careful to keep out of the moon, or it may turn your head or blind you.' `Lord, sir! I don't think it would much matter if it did; it is that turned already with the sight of these blackamoors and their filthy, thieving ways.'

Go venture shipwreck on the sullen coasts Where blackamoors make captive Christian men ...

"What!" exclaimed the Prince, "the music is by the blackamoor (a black Moor). Well, my fine blackamoor, henceforth thou art in my service."

What had Pringle done to merit such a severe penalty? He had said to Adusei during a criminal trial, "How's the blackamoor?". The Tribunal found that this was offensive, which clearly it was, and constituted an act of racial discrimination.

1893, Annotation to The Diary of Samuel Pepys by "Mary", http://www.pepysdiary.com/archive/1660/08/10/index.php citing Restoration London, Liza Picard, pages 178-179. In 1596 Elizabeth I had already decreed that all "blackamoors" should be sent back to Spain or Portugal as they were disturbing local labour markets. It became very fashionable for the wealthy to have "blackamoor" page boys and personal servants, as their complexions set off the pale-skinned beauty of the women of the family.

She seems to have been a serious girl, but she remembered her father's characterization of her as his "Little blackamoor."

Synonyms for blackamoor

Antonyms for blackamoor

Related Words

Word Forms

• blackamoors
• blackamore
• blackemore
• blackemoor
• blackymore
• blackmoor

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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