blackface

[ blak-feys ]
/ ˈblækˌfeɪs /

noun

Theater.
  1. an entertainer, especially in a minstrel or vaudeville show, made up in the role of a black person. By the mid-20th century, these entertainers had declined in popularity because their comic portrayal of negative racial stereotypes was considered offensive.
  2. the facial makeup, as burnt cork, used in this role: They performed in blackface.
Printing. a heavy-faced type, usually darker than boldface.

Origin of blackface

First recorded in 1695–1705; black + face

Example sentences from the Web for blackface

British Dictionary definitions for blackface

blackface
/ (ˈblækˌfeɪs) /

noun

  1. a performer made up to imitate a Black person
  2. the make-up used by such a performer, usually consisting of burnt cork
a breed of sheep having a dark face