half-caste

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Adjective

half-caste (not comparable)

1. (derogatory) Of mixed racial descent.

Usage notes

In 2006 British anthropological surveys by Peter J. Aspinall et al, out of 75 general population respondents who identified as “mixed race”, and one who did not, seven found the term “half-caste” offensive; and out of 311 student respondents who identified as “mixed race”, and 15 who did not, 60 found it offensive.

Noun

half-caste (plural half-castes)

1. (derogatory) A person of mixed racial descent.

See also

• mixed-race
• half-breed