breed

breed [brēd]

vt.

bred, breeding [ME breden < OE bredan < brod, fetus, hatching: see BROOD]

1. to bring forth (offspring) from the womb or hatch (young) from the egg

2. to be the source of; produce [ignorance breeds prejudice]

3.

a) to cause to reproduce; raise, esp. by controlled mating [to breed dogs]

b) to produce (plants) by selective pollination

c) to mate with

d) to develop (a stock or certain characteristics in it) by such mating or pollination

4. to bring up, train, or educate [he was bred to be a gentleman]

5. to produce (fissile material) in a breeder reactor

vi.

1. to be produced; originate [crime breeds in slums]

2. to bring forth offspring; reproduce

n.

1. a group, or stock, of animals or plants descended from common ancestors and having similar characteristics, esp. such a group cultivated by humans

2. a kind; sort; type [men of the same breed]