释义 |
▪ I. ˈcross-ˈbreed, v. [cross adv.] To breed across the lines which separate varieties or races; to breed (animals or plants) from individuals of different species or races. Hence ˈcross-ˌbreeding vbl. n.
1675Wycherley Country Wife ii. i, They are come to think cross breeding for themselves best, as well as for their dogs and horses. 1932Discovery Mar. 73/2 There was a certain amount of selection and cross breeding [of crops] towards the end of the nineteenth century. 1955Sci. News Let. 23 July 50 That individual is separated from the rest, then bred and cross-bred to develop a pure-breeding strain. 1955Bull. Atomic Sci. Sept. 242 FAO technicians are cross-breeding the rice strain Japonica..with the native Indica species of Southeast Asia and India. ▪ II. cross-breed, n.|ˈkrɒsbriːd, ˈkrɔːs-| [Cf. prec. and cross a.] A breed of animals (or plants) produced by crossing; a mongrel or hybrid breed; transf. an animal of such a breed. Also fig.
1774Wilkes Corr. (1805) IV. 185 The family of monsieur Louvet..emigrated to England; and made a cross-breed with those who [etc.]. 1844Disraeli Coningsby iii. v, It seems to me a barren thing, this Conservatism, an unhappy cross-breed; the mule of politics that engenders nothing. 1890Spectator 13 Dec., Both prizes for the cross-breeds were won by crosses of shorthorn with the Scotch breeds. |