Here's a breakdown of its evolution and meaning:
* Old Portuguese: "Criado" originally meant "brought up" or "raised," referring to a person who was raised or nurtured.
* Portuguese: This evolved into "crioulo," specifically referring to a person of European descent born in a Portuguese colony.
* English: The word "creole" was adopted into English from Portuguese, initially referring to people of European descent born in the West Indies or Latin America.
* Later Usage: The definition expanded to include:
* Languages: "Creole languages" developed from the mixing of languages, often between colonists and indigenous populations.
* Cultures: "Creole cultures" are those formed by the blending of different cultures, often through colonization.
Therefore, the term "creole" reflects a history of cultural mixing and adaptation, ultimately stemming from the idea of being "raised" or "brought up" in a specific environment.