1. A Spanish or Portuguese Jew who converted to Christianity, especially during the medieval and early modern periods.
Usage: historical; often capitalized; primarily used in discussions of Spanish and Portuguese history

Examples

• Many conversos faced suspicion from the Spanish Inquisition despite their conversion to Christianity.
• The converso community played an important role in medieval Spanish society.
• Some conversos rose to positions of prominence in the Church and government.
• Conversos were sometimes subject to discrimination even after their formal conversion.
• The term converso is used by historians to describe Jews who adopted the Christian faith in Iberia.