blackamoor

== English == === Alternative forms === blackamore, blackemore, blackemoor blackymore (Scotland) blackmoor (obsolete) === Etymology === From earlier blackmoor +‎ -a-. By surface analysis, black +‎ -a- +‎ Moor. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈblæk.əˌmɔː(ɹ)/, /ˈblæk.əˌmʊə(ɹ)/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈblæk.əˌmɔɹ/, /ˈblæk.əˌmʊɹ/ === Noun === blackamoor (plural blackamoors) (archaic, heraldry, now offensive) A person with dark black skin, especially one from north Africa. 1958, Maurice W. Connell, The Prophet Said Silk ([3]), citing Thomas Gage's Travels in the New World, J. Eric S. Thompson (editor), page 73 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." (now offensive) A black slave or servant, and hence any slave, servant, inferior, or child. 1893, Annotation to The Diary of Samuel Pepys by "Mary", [4] 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. ==== Synonyms ==== black Negro ==== Derived terms ==== wash a blackamoor white ==== Translations ==== === Anagrams === blockorama