breed

Pronunciation: /bɹiːd/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a special variety of domesticated animals within a species
  2. noun a special type
  3. verb call forth

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English breden, from Old English brēdan, from Proto-Germanic *brōdijaną (“to brood”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰreh₁- (“warm”). Cognate with Scots brede, breid, Saterland Frisian briede, West Frisian briede, Low German bröden, Dutch broeden, German brüten.

In classic literature

Synonyms

strain, stock

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
variety, animal group
Narrower (hyponyms)
bloodstock, pedigree

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