thoroughbred, a. (n.)
(ˈθʌrəbrɛd)
Also 8 through-bred.
[f. thorough adv. + bred ppl. a.1]
1. Thoroughly educated or accomplished; hence, complete, thorough, out-and-out. (Now regarded as fig. from 2: cf. 2 b.)
| 1701 Grew Cosm. Sacra ii. vii. 77 A through-bred Soldier weighs all present Circumstances, and all possible Contingents. 1721 Amherst Terræ Fil. No. 47 (1754) 253 Nothing can restrain a thorough-bred gamester. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. ix. 300 A thoroughbred utilitarian, full of sagacity. 1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal III. i. 20 He never handled a gun like a thoroughbred sportsman. |
2. Of a horse: Of pure breed or stock; spec. applied to a race-horse whose pedigree for a given number of generations is recorded in the studbook. Also of a dog, bull, etc.
| 1796 J. Lawrence Treat. Horses iv. 166 Thorough-bred hacks are the most docile and quiet, and the least liable to shy. 1825 N. H. Smith Breeding for Turf 5 The pedigree of Eclipse affords a singular illustration of the descent of our thorough-bred horses from pure Eastern blood. 1840–70 D. P. Blaine Encycl. Rur. Sports §930 The term thorough-bred, as relating to a horse..is neither critically nor conventionally definite. 1856 Farmer's Mag. Jan. 29 There are some men who prefer the cross-bred animal—the best I believe to be between the Hampshire Down and Cotswold; but..I must give a decided preference to the thorough-bred. 1887 Sir R. H. Roberts In the Shires i. 18 Mounted upon a thoroughbred..bay mare. |
b. transf. Applied to human beings or their attributes: sometimes implying characteristics like those of a thoroughbred horse, as gracefulness, energy, distinction, etc. (Cf. B. 2.)
| 1820 Byron Juan v. cvi, More thorough-bred or fairer fingers. 1864 Trevelyan Compet. Wallah (1866) 345 It is hardly possible for a man brought up amidst European..associations to realize the idea conceived of him..by a thorough-bred Hindoo. |
| Comb. 1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal ix, Who the deuce is that thoroughbred-looking girl? |
B. n.
1. A thoroughbred animal, esp. a horse.
| 1842 Thackeray Fitz-Boodle Papers Pref., I can't afford a thorough-bred, and hate a cock-tail. 1887 ‘H. Smart’ Cleverly Won i, Three or four thorough-breds that he had reared. |
2. transf. and fig.: A well-born, well-bred, or thoroughly trained person. Also a first-rate motorcar, bicycle, or other vehicle.
| 1894 H. H. Gardener Unofficial Patriot 15 There is rather a paucity of thoroughbreds among the Methodists. 1894 Outing (U.S.) XXIV. 281/2 An air..that made you feel sure that she could play tennis or sail a boat. In fact, she looked a thoroughbred. 1901 Pall Mall Mag. Sept. 67/2 A vehicle running a race must in some mysterious way be a thoroughbred. 1908 Daily Chron. 21 Nov. 9/4 This machine [bicycle] and all the thorough-breds..are now..treated before enamelling to the special Coslett non-rusting process, which preserves the metal from all corrosion. |
Hence ˈthoroughˌbredness.
| 1894 E. Banks Camp. Curiosity 127 As regards the thorough-bredness of my black poodle. |