black face

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Theatrical makeup: "black face" refers to the practice, historically used in minstrel shows, of a performer darkening their skin with makeup to caricature a Black person. This practice is now widely condemned as racist and offensive.
   • A type of sheep: In farming, "black face" denotes a breed of sheep with a black face, such as the Scottish Blackface.
   • A printing term: In typography, "black face" is an archaic term for boldface type (thick, dark lettering used for emphasis).

Usage Examples

• Theatrical makeup:
  • The actor wore black face for the minstrel show, a practice now seen as deeply offensive. (A performer used dark makeup to portray a stereotypical Black character.)
• A type of sheep:
  • The farmer raised black face sheep for their hardy wool. (The sheep had a distinctive dark face.)
• A printing term:
  • The headline was set in black face to make it stand out. (The type was bold and dark.)

Advanced Usage

• "to put on black face": to apply dark makeup to imitate a Black person, typically for performance.
  • In the 19th century, white actors often put on black face to play Black roles. (They used makeup to change their appearance.)
• "black face sheep": a specific breed of sheep, often used in Scottish farming.
  • The black face sheep are known for their resilience in harsh climates. (The breed is hardy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Blackfaced (adj): having a black face, often used for animals or in compound terms.
  • The blackfaced lamb was easy to spot in the flock. (The lamb had a dark face.)
• Blackface minstrelsy (n): the historical performance genre involving black face makeup and stereotypical portrayals.
  • Blackface minstrelsy was a popular form of entertainment in the 19th century. (It involved racist caricatures.)

Synonyms

• For theatrical makeup: "minstrel makeup" (a specific type of dark makeup used in minstrel shows).
  • The use of minstrel makeup has been banned in many modern theatres. (It is considered offensive.)
• For printing: "boldface" (a thick, dark typeface).
  • The title was printed in boldface for emphasis. (It was in black face type.)

Phrasal Verbs

• None directly associated with "black face" as a noun. The term is not used as a verb in standard English.

Related Idioms

• "to blackface" (rare, verb): to apply black face makeup.
  • The comedian was criticized for blackfacing in his act. (He used dark makeup to portray a Black person.)
• "black face in the crowd" (rare): an idiom meaning a noticeable or contrasting element in a group.
  • His dark coat was a black face in the sea of white shirts. (It stood out clearly.)