blackface

See also: Blackface

English

Entertainer Bert Williams in blackface (sense 1) in 1921

Alternative forms

• Blackface

Etymology

From black +‎ face.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈblækˌfeɪs/
• Rhymes: -ækfeɪs
• Hyphenation: black‧face

Noun

blackface (countable and uncountable, plural blackfaces)

2. (uncountable) The practice in which a non-black person blackens their face using theatrical makeup in order to portray a caricature of a black person.
   • 2019, Farah Andrews, “Filipina Actress Liza Soberano Slammed for Mel B 'Blackface'”, in The National News:

     Soberano hit back at Instagram comments, writing, "This is not any form of blackface." But has since backtracked.

4. (countable) A sheep of the Scottish Blackface breed.
5. (uncountable, countable, typography) Synonym of boldface.
   • 1917, Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Journal - Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania‎^[1], →OCLC:

     The laboratory procedure in the most important tests and methods is printed in blackface type for convenience of reference.

Derived terms

• blackfaced
• blackfacing
• digital blackface
• vocal blackface
• womanface

 

Related terms

• blackfish
• blackvoice
• brownface
• redface
• transface
• whiteface
• yellowface