Morisco
/məˈrɪskoʊ/noun
A Muslim in Spain who converted to Christianity, especially one who remained after the Christian conquest and the fall of Granada.
Did you know?Between 1609 and 1614, Spain expelled roughly 300,000 Moriscos, though some remained or later returned despite the decree.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαυρός (mauros)
“Dark or black; often cited as the source of the later ethnic name, though the connection is debated.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Maurus
“A Moor or inhabitant of Mauretania in North Africa.”
Medieval Spanish
Old Spanish
moro
“A Muslim or North African Moor, from Latin Maurus.”
16th Century
Spanish
morisco
“A diminutive or adjectival form meaning Moorish; it came to designate converted Muslims in Spain.”
16th–17th Century
English
Morisco
“A Spanish Muslim convert to Christianity, especially one affected by Spain’s conversion and expulsion policies.”
Modern English
English
Morisco
“A historical term for Spain’s converted Muslim population and their descendants.”
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