ˈhalf-bred, a. (n.)
[See breed v., bred.]
A. adj.
1. a. Of mixed breed; born of parents of superior and inferior strain; mongrel. Also fig.
| 1701 Rowe Amb. Step-Moth. iv. iii. 2022 Half-bred and of the Mungrel Strain of mischief. 1810 Sporting Mag. 43 One stallion, and 46 half-bred mares. 1864 Daily Tel. 19 July, Lost, a Half-bred Setter and Retriever Dog. |
b. Of a sheep. Austral. and N.Z.
| 1891 R. Wallace Rural Econ. Austral. & N.Z. xviii. 265 The half-bred sheep, being the various crosses between Merino ewes and long-woolled rams. 1959 Baker Drum ii. 116 Halfbred sheep, orig. a sheep by a longwool ram from a merino ewe; now loosely applied to the type. |
† 2. Imperfectly acquainted with the rules of good breeding; under-bred. Obs.
| a 1732 Atterbury Proverbs xiv. 6 (Seager) An half-bred man is conceited in his address, and troublesome in his conversation. |
B. n. A half-bred horse, pigeon, etc. A half-bred sheep. Austral. and N.Z.
| 1848 E. G. Wakefield Let. in N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. (1950) Feb. 136/3 The want of the more prolific and hardy constitution of the half-bred. 1856 H. H. Dixon Post & Paddock x. 171 The best express carriers [pigeons] are half-breds, between an Antwerp and a dragon. 1891 R. Wallace Rural Econ. Austral. & N.Z. xviii. 265 The half-breds, or first crosses, are the most profitable sheep. 1894 G. Armatage Horse iv. 47 The half-bred is going..at the top of his pace. 1930 L. G. D. Acland Early Canterbury Runs i. 7 Corriedales and Half-breds have displaced the Merinos except on the lightest and highest country. 1956 G. Bowen Wool Away! (ed. 2) xii. 134 Half-breds are recognised in New Zealand as a cross between Merinos and one of the English longwool breeds. |