# half-breed

Pronunciation: US say "HAF-breed" /ˈhæfˌbɹid/; UK say "HAHF-breed" /ˈhɑːfˌbɹiːd/

## Noun

2. An animal or plant produced from parents of two different breeds, types, or species.
   - Simple: An animal or plant that comes from two different breeds or types.
   - _The orchard was full of half-breeds that combined the hardiness of one tree with the sweetness of another._
   - _Breeders prized the half-breed for its unusual coat and gentle temperament._

## Adjective

4. Describing an animal or plant descended from parents of different breeds, or having one purebred parent.
   - Simple: Describing an animal or plant that comes from two different breeds.
   - _The half-breed colt inherited its speed from a thoroughbred sire._
   - _Farmers often prefer half-breed stock for its hardiness in rough weather._

## Noun

1. An offensive, dated term for a person of mixed racial ancestry, especially someone of mixed white and Native American parentage. *(dated)*
   - Simple: A rude, old word for a person whose parents are from two different races.
   - _Settlers in the territory often refused to trade with anyone they branded a half-breed._
   - _The army scout endured being called a half-breed by the very men who relied on his tracking._

## Adjective

3. Describing a person of mixed racial parentage or dual heritage; now considered offensive and dated. *(dated)*
   - Simple: An old and hurtful way to describe someone whose parents are from two different races.
   - _The census taker recorded several half-breed families along the river._
   - _He was dismissed as half-breed by officers who doubted his loyalty._

## Origin

Formed from the prefix half- combined with the word breed.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/half-breed (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).