breeder
[bree-der]
- an animal, plant, or person that produces offspring or reproduces.
- a person who raises animals or plants primarily for breeding purposes.
- Also called breeder reactor. Energy. a nuclear reactor in which more fissile material is produced than is consumed.
- Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used by gays to refer to a heterosexual.
- Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used especially by child-free people to refer to a biological parent.
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Origin of breeder
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
advisercoachprofessortutormentorhandlerbreederproducerfarmerherdsmanherderrancherpeasantlaborergrowerlecturerguidedemonstratoragriculturistshepherdExamples from the Web for breeder
Contemporary Examples
It would be nice to feel—as he put it the other day—that he had “a breeder” among his grandchildren.
Historical Examples
So you wish me to set up as a breeder of young horses, do you, Socrates?
The EconomistXenophon
This becomes a source of great annoyance and loss to the breeder.
Cattle and Cattle-breedersWilliam M'Combie
Slinking is one of the greatest pests to which a breeder is subjected.
Cattle and Cattle-breedersWilliam M'Combie
Great care, therefore, must be taken by the breeder when his calves are weaned.
Cattle and Cattle-breedersWilliam M'Combie
I have also been assured by a breeder that this is the case.
breeder
- a person who breeds plants or animals
- something that reproduces, esp to excessrabbits are persistent breeders
- an animal kept for breeding purposes
- a source or causea breeder of discontent
- short for breeder reactor
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for breeder
n.
1570s, "one who produces or originates," agent noun from breed (v.). Meaning "one who breeds cattle" or some other animal is recorded from 1530s. Of nuclear reactors, from 1948. As a scornful homosexual term for "heterosexual person," attested from 1986.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper