Chicano

See also: chicano

English

Etymology

From Mexican Spanish chicano, from mechicano, a dialectal variant of mexicano (“Mexican”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /t͡ʃɪˈkɑːnəʊ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /t͡ʃɪˈkɑnoʊ/, sometimes /-ˈkæn-/, (emulating Spanish) IPA^(key): /t͡ʃi-/
• Rhymes: -ɑːnəʊ

Adjective

Chicano (not comparable)

1. (chiefly US) Of a person: American but of Mexican descent, especially if conscious of one's political identity in the U.S. body politic.
   • 1980, [Juan D.] Bruce-Novoa, “Bernice Zamora”, in Chicano Authors: Inquiry by Interview, Austin, Tex., London: University of Texas Press, →ISBN, page 214:

     When Chicanos think about us at all, they perpetuate the stereotypes. Gabacho depiction of us as emotionally unchecked, sultry women lusting after pale bodies is just an extension of the fantasy they have about all women. Such dishonest portrayals are why Chicanas are "breaking the silence," as Rita Sánchez calls it.

2. (of a person) Identifying with the mixed-raced heritage of Old World and New World.
3. Of or pertaining to Chicano people.

Usage notes

• Reflecting Spanish usage, the form Chicana is typically used when applied specifically to women; however, the form Chicano is sometimes used in this case as well.
• Rarely, Chican@ or Chicanx is used as a gender-neutral form.

Noun

Chicano (plural Chicanos)

1. (chiefly US) A Chicano person.

Usage notes

• See notes about the adjective, above.

Coordinate terms

• pachuco (“subset of Chicanos from the early 20th century”)
• pocho (“assimilated Mexican-American”)

Further reading

• Chicano on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• “Chicano”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

Anagrams

• Noachic, cochain