Ne|gro

Ne|gro «NEE groh», noun, plural -groes, adjective.

–n.

1. a) a person belonging to the black race of Africa, characterized by brown or black skin, coarse, woolly hair, and a broad, flat nose; a black. The chief peoples of Africa south of the Sahara are Negroes. b) a member of any other dark-skinned people.

2. a person having some black ancestors (subject to precise definition by law in certain states and countries).

–adj.

1. of or having to do with blacks: »

Negro melodies. The first Negro slaves were brought to Jamestown in Virginia in a Dutch ship as early as 1620 (H. G. Wells).

2. resembling blacks.

╂[< Spanish, or Portuguese negro < Latin niger black]

Usage Negro has been largely replaced by black or African-American especially in reference to American culture and society after 1970.

• Negro and its derivations were formerly often written with a small n, but the regular practice today is to capitalize them. The pronunciations «NIHG roh» and «NIHG ruh» occur, but are considered offensive by many, including most blacks.

• See black for another usage note. (Cf. ↑black)