Where does “thoroughbreed” come from?
thoroughbreed (English) comes from English breed, from Middle English breden, from Old English brēdan, from Proto-Germanic brōdijaną, from Proto-Indo-European bʰreh₁- — warm; breath, mist, vapour, steam.
thoroughbreed (English): A breed of unadulterated or pure lineage
Definitions
- A breed of unadulterated or pure lineage
Ancestry of “thoroughbreed”, step by step
thoroughbreed traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English breed
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | breed | To produce offspring sexually; to bear young; To... |
| 2 | Middle English | breden | Alternative form of breiden; to make broad;... |
| 3 | Old English | brēdan | to bear offspring |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | brōdijaną | To keep warm; brood; To breed |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰreh₁- | warm; breath, mist, vapour, steam |