Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Of unmixed ancestry: Describes a person, animal, or plant that is of pure or unmixed descent, with no crossbreeding in its lineage.
   • Thoroughbred, purebred: Often used to emphasize the purity of a breed or lineage, particularly in animals like horses or cattle.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The tribe was composed of full-blood members, tracing their ancestry back for generations.
  • He raises full-blood Jerseys, known for their high-quality milk.
  • The debate over tribal enrollment often involves questions of full-blood versus mixed ancestry.

Advanced Usage

• "full-blooded": This is a more common variant with the same core meaning. It can also be used figuratively to mean vigorous or hearty.
  • He is a full-blooded supporter of the cause. (Here, it means wholehearted or vigorous, not literally of pure ancestry.)

Variants and Related Words

• Full-blooded (adj): The primary variant, meaning of pure ancestry or, figuratively, vigorous and hearty.
• Purebred (adj/n): An animal, especially a pet or livestock, of a recognized breed with a documented pedigree.
• Thoroughbred (adj/n): Specifically refers to a purebred animal, most commonly a horse of a breed noted for speed and agility.

Synonyms

• Purebred: Of unmixed breed over many generations.
• Thoroughbred: (Especially for horses) of pure stock.
• Unmixed: Not mixed with any other lineage or breed.

Notes on Usage

• The term full-blood is less common than its variant full-blooded. It is primarily used in specific contexts like anthropology, animal husbandry, and discussions of ethnic or tribal identity.
• In modern contexts, especially regarding people, the term can be considered outdated or problematic due to its historical use in racial classifications. Terms like "of unmixed descent" or "pure lineage" are often more neutral alternatives in formal writing.

Adjective

1. of unmixed ancestry
   • full-blooded Native American
   • blooded Jersies