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half-breed

American  
[haf-breed, hahf-] / ˈhæfˌbrid, ˈhɑf- /

noun

  1. a contemptuous term used to refer to the offspring of parents of different racial origin, especially the offspring of an American Indian and a white person of European descent.


adjective

  1. of or relating to such offspring.

half-breed British  

noun

  1. offensive a person whose parents are of different races, esp the offspring of a White person and an American Indian

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or designating offspring of people or animals of different races or breeds

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of half-breed

An Americanism dating back to 1750–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This was a celebrated French half breed named Chaumon Rossette.

From The Great Lone Land A Narrative of Travel and Adventure in the North-West of America by Butler, William Francis

There were several episodes Lydia did not describe; that of the half breed council in the wood, for example, nor the "spooning" with Kent.

From Lydia of the Pines by Morrow, Honoré

“No savvy dat kind feller,” said a Canadian half breed, who was just starting off with a pick.

From Unexplored! by Chaffee, Allen

Cornplanter was a native of Ca-na-wan-gus, on the Genesee river, a half breed, the son of an Indian trader, from the valley of the Mohawk, a white man named John O'Bail.

From An Account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha, or Red Jacket, and His People, 1750-1830 by Hubbard, John Niles

Probably you know that Mathews, formerly an Indian Trader amongst the Osages has been committing depredations at the head of a band of half breed Cherokees, all summer.

From The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War by Abel, Annie Heloise

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