pedigree

[ped-i-gree]

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.

pedigree

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• pedigreeless adjective
• pedigreed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedigree¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedigree¹

C15: from Old French pie de grue crane's foot, alluding to the spreading lines used in a genealogical chart

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

“He made performance ratings before there were published Beyer figures. He videotaped gate workouts in the mid-1980s. His overall knowledge of pace, pedigree and European form is unsurpassed. As a public handicapper, he’s the GOAT.”

From Los Angeles Times

Here is a player clearly rich in talent and pedigree, who attracted strong interest from Manchester City before choosing Liverpool.

From BBC

Six-time champions New Zealand came into the game as slight favourites given their pedigree at the business end of World Cups, but Canada were supreme on both sides of the ball and in every department.

From BBC

Steve Wilson: I'm not sure a club with their pedigree can be labelled a 'surprise package' exactly, but I have a real soft spot for Juventus, so I want them to do really well.

From BBC

The Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow has a proud pedigree dating back 122 years, yet it's now best known for the controversy over two new ferries that are horrendously delayed and over budget.

From BBC

Related Words

• lineage