mestizo

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish mestizo, from Late Latin mixticius, from Latin mixtus (“mixed”). Doublet of metis, which came from French.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mɛs.ˈti.zoʊ/

Noun

mestizo (plural mestizos or mestizoes)

1. A person of mixed ancestry, especially one of Spanish and Native American heritage.

Etymology

From Late Latin mixticĭus, from Latin mixtus (“mixed”). Cognate to Portuguese mestiço, French métis.

Pronunciation

• (Castilian) IPA^(key): /mesˈtiθo/, [mesˈt̪iθo]
• (Latin America) IPA^(key): /mesˈtiso/, [mesˈt̪iso]
• Rhymes: -iso

Adjective

mestizo (feminine singular mestiza, masculine plural mestizos, feminine plural mestizas)

1. Of mixed, Spanish and Native American heritage
2. also of mixed indigenous (aboriginal) and colonial (European) descent

Noun

mestizo m (plural mestizos, feminine mestiza, feminine plural mestizas)

1. A person of mixed Spanish and Native American heritage
2. A person whose ethnic heritage is of both aboriginal and colonial descent