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26984 words
breed
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9 definitions • 13 examples
1
to keep
animals
for the
purpose
of
producing
young
animals
in a
controlled
way:
Examples:
Terriers are
bred
for their
fighting
instincts
.
His
main
income
comes from
breeding
cattle
.
2
(of
animals
) to have
sex
and
produce
young
animals
:
Examples:
The
blackbird
, like most
birds
,
breeds
in the
spring
.
3
to cause something to happen,
usually
something bad:
Examples:
Favouritism
breeds
resentment
.
Some
teachers
believe that
early
failures
can later breed
success
.
4
a
particular
type
of
animal
or
plant
:
Examples:
a breed of
dog
/
cat
/
horse
/
sheep
/
cattle
What's your
favourite
breed of
dog
/
dog
breed?
5
a
type
of person or thing:
Examples:
new breed A new breed of film-maker has
taken
over
Hollywood
.
He
represents
a
particular
breed of
chief
executive
.
This breed of
investment
has
suddenly
become
very
popular
.
6
a
particular
type
of
animal
or
plant
:
Examples:
the different
breeds
of
dogs
7
A breed is also a
type
of person or thing:
Examples:
Authentic
blues
singers
are a
dying
breed (= there are not many of them left).
8
to keep
animals
or
plants
for the
purpose
of
producing
young
animals
or
plants
,
often
for
chosen
qualities
:
Examples:
[ T ] He
bred
hogs
and
cows
and
sold
the
meat
and
dairy
products
.
9
When
animals
breed, they
reproduce
.
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