piccaninny
[ pik-uh-nin-ee ]
/ ˈpɪk əˌnɪn i /
noun, plural pic·ca·nin·nies.
Origin of piccaninny
First recorded in 1650–60
Words nearby piccaninny
picayune,
piccadilly,
piccadilly circus,
piccalilli,
piccanin,
piccaninny,
piccard,
piccata,
piccinni,
piccolo,
piccoloist
Definition for piccaninny (2 of 2)
pickaninny
or pic·a·nin·ny, pic·ca·nin·ny
[ pik-uh-nin-ee ]
/ ˈpɪk əˌnɪn i /
noun, plural pick·a·nin·nies. Older Use: Now Offensive.
a term used to refer to a black child.
Origin of pickaninny
1645–55; probably ultimately < Portuguese
pequenino, diminutive of
pequeno small; as a word for “small child,”
pickaninny and its variants are widespread in English-based creoles of the New World and West Africa; compare Jamaican English
pickney, West African English
pickin small child
usage note for pickaninny
This is a dated term, originally used in a neutral or even affectionate way among slaves in the West Indies, but now perceived as insulting.
British Dictionary definitions for piccaninny (1 of 2)
piccaninny
esp US pickaninny
/ (ˌpɪkəˈnɪnɪ) /
noun plural -nies
offensive
a small Black or Aboriginal child
(modifier)
tiny
a piccaninny fire won't last long
Word Origin for piccaninny
C17: perhaps from Portuguese
pequenino tiny one, from
pequeno small