1. Jews in medieval Spain and Portugal who converted to Christianity, often under pressure, while secretly practicing Judaism.
Usage: historical; plural of marrano; sometimes considered offensive; the term is used in historical and academic contexts

Examples

• The marranos faced persecution during the Spanish Inquisition for their hidden religious practices.
• Many marranos emigrated to the Americas to escape religious persecution in Europe.
• Historians study the marranos to understand religious coercion in medieval Iberia.
• The marranos maintained Jewish traditions in secret while outwardly appearing Christian.
• Some marranos eventually settled in Ottoman territories where they could practice Judaism openly.