Marrano [muh-rah-noh] EXAMPLES|WORD ORIGIN noun, plural Mar·ra·nos. 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. Liberaldictionary.com
Origin of Marrano Spanish: literally, pig, from the Jewish law forbidding the eating of pork (probably Arabic maḥram forbidden) Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019 Examples from the Web for marrano Historical Examples of marrano
Portugal fell to a Marrano physician who had escaped from the Inquisition.
I. Zangwill
There were in Portugal hardly any but Jewish, that is to say, Marrano physicians.
History of the Jews, Vol. IV (of VI)
Heinrich Graetz
Antonio de Montezinos was a Marrano, whom business or love of travel had led to America.
History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6)
Heinrich Graetz
A Marrano physician named Jacob Zemach appears to have stood at their head.
History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6)
Heinrich Graetz
A Marrano physician, who had escaped from Portugal, and was his devoted adherent, received the crown of Portugal.
History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6)
Heinrich Graetz
British Dictionary definitions for marrano Marrano noun plural -nos a Spanish or Portuguese Jew of the late Middle Ages who was converted to Christianity, esp one forcibly converted but secretly adhering to Judaism Word Origin for Marrano from Spanish, literally: pig, with reference to the Jewish prohibition against eating pig meat Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for marrano Marrano n.
“Jew or Moor converted to Christianity,” 1580s, from Spanish, probably literally “pig, swine,” an expression of contempt, from Arabic muharram “forbidden thing” (eating of pork is forbidden by Muslim and Jewish religious law), from haruma “was forbidden” (see harem).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper