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half-breed

[ haf-breed, hahf- ]

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

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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of half-breed1

An Americanism dating back to 1750–60
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Example Sentences

A few days later, a Half-Breed delegation arrived in Washington, begging for his assistance.

They shouted and scuffled as the Half-Breed gatekeepers shoved them aside.

Clip's uncle—his mother's brother, most probably—was a half-breed and a member of Dangerfield's gang.

They found the half-breed cooking some bacon over a tiny fire, at the head of a gulch that was just made for human concealment.

"You kept this money and did not let your half-breed partner in crime know you had found it," went on the girl.

To be sure, he charged them off heavily, so there was little cash left from the half-breed's bootlegging operations.

Hastily securing his horse the half-breed skirted the ranch and located the girl's trail on the prairie.

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half-breadth planhalf brother