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Interbred: meaning, definitions and examples

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interbred

 

[ ˌɪn.tərˈbrɛd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

breeding species

Interbred refers to the act of breeding or mating between individuals of different species or varieties. This process often occurs in species that are closely related, resulting in hybrid offspring. Interbreeding can sometimes lead to enhanced genetic variation, which may provide advantages in adapting to changing environments. However, it may also lead to negative consequences such as loss of distinct species identity and potential health issues in hybrid offspring.

Synonyms

crossbreed, hybridize, mingle, mix

Examples of usage

  • The scientists interbred the two species to study hybrid vigor.
  • Farmers often interbred different strains of livestock to achieve better yields.
  • Wildlife conservation efforts sometimes involve interbreeding to maintain genetic diversity.

Translations

Translations of the word "interbred" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intercruzado

🇮🇳 आक्रामक प्रजनन

🇩🇪 interkreuzt

🇮🇩 berkawinan silang

🇺🇦 перехресне схрещування

🇵🇱 krzyżować

🇯🇵 交雑する

🇫🇷 mêler

🇪🇸 hibridar

🇹🇷 melezlemek

🇰🇷 교배하다

🇸🇦 التزاوج

🇨🇿 křížit

🇸🇰 kríženie

🇨🇳 杂交

🇸🇮 mešati

🇮🇸 blanda

🇰🇿 араласу

🇬🇪 გადაჯვარედინება

🇦🇿 qarışdırmaq

🇲🇽 cruzar

Etymology

The term 'interbred' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'inter-', meaning 'between' or 'among', and 'bred', the past participle of the verb 'breed', which originates from Old English 'bredan', meaning 'to breed' or 'to rear'. The concept of interbreeding has gained significance in both biological and agricultural contexts. In the early days of agriculture, farmers would interbreed various animal and plant species to improve traits such as yield, disease resistance, and growth rates. Over time, the implications of interbreeding became more widely understood, especially with regard to biodiversity and the conservation of species. The term has been used increasingly in scientific literature since the 20th century, particularly in fields such as genetics, conservation biology, and agriculture, to describe the intentional or unintentional mixing of genetic materials among different populations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,396, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.