pedigree

American  

[ped-i-gree] / ˈpɛd ɪˌgri /

noun

1. an ancestral line; line of descent; lineage; ancestry.

2. a genealogical table, chart, list, or record, especially of a purebred animal.

3. distinguished, excellent, or pure ancestry.

4. derivation, origin, or history.

   the pedigree of a word.

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pedigree British  

/ ˈpɛdɪˌɡriː /

noun

1. 1. the line of descent of a purebred animal

   2. ( as modifier )

      a pedigree bull

2. a document recording this

3. a genealogical table, esp one indicating pure ancestry

4. derivation or background

   the pedigree of an idea

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Synonym Usage

Pedigree, genealogy refer to an account of ancestry. A pedigree is a table or chart recording a line of ancestors, either of persons or (more especially) of animals, as horses, cattle, and dogs; in the case of animals, such a table is used as proof of superior qualities: a detailed pedigree. A genealogy is an account of the descent of a person or family traced through a series of generations, usually from the first known ancestor: a genealogy that includes a king.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pedigreeless
  adjective
• pedigreed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pedigree

1375–1425; late Middle English pedegru, from Anglo-French, equivalent to Middle French pie de grue literally, “foot of crane,” a fanciful way of describing the appearance of the lines of a genealogical chart

Explanation

The noun pedigree refers to the genetic background of an animal, although it is sometimes applied to people as well. A purebred dog, for example, comes with a verified pedigree, a list of all past parentage. The preoccupation with pedigree isn't new — the concern for human pedigree can be seen in the Bible, where generations are meticulously recorded. Pedigree, referring to a genealogical chart, appeared in 1410 from the Anglo-French pe de gru, meaning "foot of a crane," referring to the chart’s tree — like lines, which looked like the print of a crane's foot. The importance of pedigree extends to animals such as dogs and horses, with breeders careful to follow the animal's lines to assure "purity."

Example Sentences

Forrest Mars eventually returned to the U.S. and ran Mars for decades, introducing M&M’s in 1941 and growing the company through pet food brands like Pedigree and Iams.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 9, 2023

In petcare, Mars operates brands like Pedigree, Whiskas, and Royal Canin, and it recently expanded its footprint in the sector through the acquisition of veterinary equipment firm Heska Corp.

From Reuters • Jul. 5, 2023

When the grain was gone, Hurtado scattered Pedigree dog food — roasted chicken, rice and vegetable flavor — on a walkway, and the pigeons devoured that, as well.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2022

The price rises from Mars, whose pet products include Whiskas, Dreamies and Pedigree, come as inflation is at a 40-year high, at 9.1%.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2022

Was it my fault they hadn’t noticed me, browsing through Smash Hits behind a pyramid of Pedigree Chum cans?

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Related Words

• lineage