Definition, synonyms and related words
A free (not enslaved) black person in a French- or Spanish-colonized area, especially New Orleans.
"During the 18th century, many libres gathered in New Orleans to form their own communities outside of plantation life."
Especially of the will: free, independent, unconstrained.
"After years of working under strict supervision, she finally felt libre to make her own creative decisions without asking for permission first."
The word "libre" comes from the French libre, which originally meant "at liberty" or "free from obligation." This French term was borrowed from the Latin līber, ultimately tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root related to people.