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interbreed

[in-ter-breed]
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verb (used with object), in·ter·bred, in·ter·breed·ing.
  1. to crossbreed (a plant or animal).
  2. to cause to breed together.
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verb (used without object), in·ter·bred, in·ter·breed·ing.
  1. to crossbreed.
  2. to breed or mate with a closely related individual, as in a small, closed population.
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Origin of interbreed

First recorded in 1855–60; inter- + breed
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

differentdiversevariedcarnalincorporatemingleassociateblendfuseinfusestirweavedisorderedalloyedunitedassortedmotleydiversifiedtiedconglomerate

Examples from the Web for interbred

Historical Examples

  • It is highly probable, however, that after introduction into this country as a domestic animal it has interbred with the Wild Cat.

    The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia

    Frank Evers Beddard

  • Here it may be worth while to say a few words about the general belief that dogs in Alaska are interbred with wolves.

  • This species and the spotted deer have interbred, and the hybrid progeny survived.

  • They have interbred with the Arabs to some extent, but have preserved in a marvellous way their individuality as a race.

    The Black Box

    E. Phillips Oppenheim

  • This animal has bred in captivity, and has also interbred with domestic cattle.

British Dictionary definitions for interbred

interbreed

verb -breeds, -breeding or -bred
  1. (intr) to breed within a single family or strain so as to produce particular characteristics in the offspring
  2. another term for crossbreed (def. 1)
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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

Word Origin and History for interbred

interbreed

v.

1859, from inter- + breed. Related: Interbred; interbreeding.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper