1. A Spanish or Portuguese Jew who converted to Christianity, especially during the Inquisition, often while secretly practicing Judaism.
Usage: historical; often capitalized; the term can be considered offensive in some contexts

Examples

• Many marranos fled Spain and Portugal during the Inquisition to escape persecution.
• The marrano community maintained Jewish traditions in private while appearing Christian in public.
• Historians study marrano families to understand religious life during the medieval period.
• Some marranos eventually emigrated to the Americas to practice their faith more openly.
• The term marrano reflects a complex period of religious coercion and hidden identity in European history.