Inbreed: meaning, definitions and examples

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inbreed

 

[ ˈɪn. briːd ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

genetics breeding

To inbreed means to breed from closely related individuals, especially in order to maintain desired qualities in the offspring. This can lead to an accumulation of harmful genetic traits and can reduce genetic diversity within a population.

Synonyms

breed, crossbreed, interbreed

Examples of usage

  • Farmers often inbreed animals to enhance specific traits.
  • Inbreeding in dogs can lead to health issues.
  • Conservationists study the effects of inbreeding in endangered species.
Context #2 | Noun

genetics family

Inbreeding refers to the mating of individuals who are closely related. This practice can increase the risk of genetic disorders in the resulting offspring due to decreased genetic variation.

Synonyms

consanguinity, inbreeding depression, linebreeding

Examples of usage

  • Inbreeding is discouraged in many breeds of animals.
  • The study highlighted the consequences of inbreeding in plant species.
  • Inbreeding can lead to a higher prevalence of certain heritable diseases.

Translations

Translations of the word "inbreed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inbreeding

🇮🇳 अन्तर्विवाह

🇩🇪 Inzucht

🇮🇩 pernikahan sedarah

🇺🇦 інцест

🇵🇱 inbreed

🇯🇵 近親交配

🇫🇷 inbreeding

🇪🇸 consanguinidad

🇹🇷 dölleme

🇰🇷 근친 교배

🇸🇦 التزاوج الداخلي

🇨🇿 příbuzenské křížení

🇸🇰 príbuzenské kríženie

🇨🇳 近亲繁殖

🇸🇮 inbreed

🇮🇸 innræktun

🇰🇿 туыстық некелер

🇬🇪 ინბრიდინგი

🇦🇿 daxil evlənmə

🇲🇽 incrustación

Etymology

The term "inbreed" originates from the early 19th century, combining the prefix 'in-' meaning 'within' or 'into' and 'breed,' which comes from Old English 'brēodan,' meaning 'to breed, bring forth, or produce'. The concept of inbreeding has been recognized in agriculture and animal husbandry for centuries, often focused on retaining desirable traits within breeds. However, as scientific understanding of genetics expanded in the 20th century, concerns about the negative consequences of inbreeding also grew. Inbreeding is now understood to be a double-edged sword: while it can preserve certain traits, it can also lead to a reduced gene pool and increase the risk of genetic disorders, emphasizing the need for careful management in breeding practices.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,743, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.