An archaic and offensive term for a Black person, used historically in English literature and documents.
From 'black' and 'Moor' (referring to North African peoples). Used in Early Modern English, particularly in 16th-17th century literature like Shakespeare's works.
This word appears in Shakespeare and other classic texts, showing how language reflects the prejudices of its time. Modern scholarship examines these terms historically while being clear about their offensive nature.
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