Marrano

American  

[muh-rah-noh] / məˈrɑ noʊ /

noun

plural

Marranos

1. a Spanish or Portuguese Jew who was converted to Christianity during the late Middle Ages, usually under threat of death or persecution, especially one who continued to adhere to Judaism in secret.

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Marrano British  

/ məˈrɑːnəʊ /

noun

1. a Spanish or Portuguese Jew of the late Middle Ages who was converted to Christianity, esp one forcibly converted but secretly adhering to Judaism

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Etymology

Origin of Marrano

< Spanish: literally, pig, from the Jewish law forbidding the eating of pork (probably < Arabic maḥram forbidden)

Example Sentences

Burning to punish the Marrano, or apostate Moor, as he called Alexander, Giuliano stirred the king with taunts and menaces until Charles felt he could delay his march no longer.

From Renaissance in Italy, Volume 1 (of 7) The Age of the Despots by Symonds, John Addington

This is the prologue to the thrilling Marrano tragedy.

From Jewish History : an essay in the philosophy of history by Dubnow, S. M. (Simon Markovich)

The real author, whose place in Spanish literature is assured, was Antonio Enriquez di Gomez, a Marrano, burnt in effigy at Seville after his escape from the clutches of the Inquisition.

From Jewish Literature and Other Essays by Karpeles, Gustav

Portugal fell to a Marrano physician who had escaped from the Inquisition.

From Dreamers of the Ghetto by Zangwill, Israel

In fact, the first original drama in Spanish literature, the celebrated Celestina, is attributed to a Jew, the Marrano Rodrigo da Cota.

From Jewish Literature and Other Essays by Karpeles, Gustav