Redbone

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term referring to a person of mixed African and Native American descent; a breed of hunting dog characterized by its reddish coat; a style of music blending elements of funk and soul
2. Used to describe individuals with combined Black and Indigenous ancestry; identifying a breed of sporting dog with a distinctive red coat; signifying a genre of rhythm and blues with smooth, soulful sounds
3. Denoting mixed-race heritage involving African and Native American roots; naming a type of canine known for its red fur and hunting ability; representing a musical style known for its soulful, funky groove

Etymology: "Redbone" is a compound of "red" and "bone," and the sense of mixed African and Native American ancestry is what the word is used for today. The "bone" element is the older and more interesting half of the picture: in the way the term is applied, it refers to the people themselves and the lineage they describe rather than to anatomy. The "red" element points to the Native American side of that ancestry, the reddish skin tone that has long been used, sometimes crudely, to describe Indigenous people. Because the source offers no further detail, nothing more can be said about when or where the usage began.

Synonyms: redbone, redbone coonhound, hound, dog, canine