breeder
/'bri:də/
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who breeds animals: An individual who intentionally mates and raises animals, typically to produce offspring with specific, desirable characteristics. This often involves selective breeding for traits like appearance, temperament, or performance.
- (In physics, dated) A breeder reactor: A type of nuclear reactor that produces more fissile material than it consumes. (Note: This meaning is highly technical and primarily found in historical or scientific contexts. The primary, everyday meaning is related to animal husbandry.)
Usage and Examples
- Noun (Person who breeds animals):
- She is a dog breeder who specializes in golden retrievers.
- The horse breeder was very proud of the champion stallion.
- Responsible breeders always prioritize the health of their animals.
Advanced Usage
- "Backyard breeder": A usually pejorative term for an unregulated or amateur animal breeder who may not follow best practices for animal health and welfare.
- Animal shelters often warn against buying pets from backyard breeders.
- The term can be used in compound nouns specifying the type of animal: .
Variants and Related Words
- Breed (verb): To produce offspring by mating; to raise animals or plants.
- Breeding (noun): The activity or process of producing animals or plants by mating.
- The breeding of this species in captivity is difficult.
- Breeder reactor (noun): The full term for the nuclear reactor type.
Synonyms
- Animal husbandman: A person involved in the care and breeding of livestock. (More formal)
- Raiser: One who raises animals. (More general)
- Stockman: A person who raises livestock.
Notes on Meaning
- The core meaning of "breeder" is a person engaged in the controlled propagation of animals. It implies a purposeful activity, often for commercial, hobby, or preservation purposes.
- In modern informal contexts (particularly within LGBTQ+ communities), "breeder" is sometimes used as a slang term, often derogatory or ironic, to refer to heterosexuals or heterosexual parents. This usage is highly colloquial and context-dependent, and is not the standard dictionary definition.
Noun
-
a person who breeds animals
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