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pedigree

Pronunciation: /ˈpɛdɪgriː/
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Definition of pedigree

noun

  • 1the record of descent of an animal, showing it to be pure-bred: they are looking for animals with pedigrees [mass noun]:a spaniel of distinguished pedigree
  • a pure-bred animal.
  • 2the recorded ancestry or lineage of a person or family: with a pedigree equal to many of the gentry [mass noun]:the debate about pedigree and family fortunes
  • the history or provenance of a person or thing, especially as conferring distinction:the scheme has a long pedigree
  • a genealogical table: my host showed me his family pedigree

adjective

British
  • (of an animal) pure-bred:pedigree cats

Derivatives

pedigreed

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French pé de grue 'crane's foot', a mark used to denote succession in pedigrees

pedigree in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of pedigree in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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