Definition

1. Verb:
   • To crossbreed; to interbreed: To cause animals or plants of different varieties, breeds, or species to breed together, producing offspring.
   • To combine genetically: To create a hybrid organism by mixing the genetic material of two distinct parent types.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • Scientists hybridise different strains of wheat to develop crops with higher yields and better disease resistance.
  • It is possible to hybridise a lion and a tiger, resulting in a liger or a tigon.
  • The gardener attempted to hybridise two rose species to create a new color.

Advanced Usage

• "To hybridise with": To interbreed or cross with another type.
  • This cultivated plant can still hybridise with its wild relatives.
• Conceptual/Figurative Use: While primarily biological, "hybridise" can be used metaphorically to describe the blending of different ideas, cultures, or technologies.
  • The new musical genre hybridises traditional folk melodies with electronic beats.

Variants and Related Words

• Hybridisation (noun): The process or act of creating hybrids.
  • The hybridisation of these two plants was successful.
• Hybrid (noun/adjective): The offspring resulting from crossbreeding, or something of mixed origin.
  • The mule is a well-known hybrid.
• Crossbreed (verb/noun): A close synonym, often used interchangeably with "hybridise" for animals.

Synonyms

• Crossbreed: To breed animals or plants of different types.
• Interbreed: To breed with a different species or variety.
• Cross: To hybridise, especially plants.
• Cross-fertilise: To fertilise by the union of gametes from different individuals.

Antonyms

• Purebreed: To breed from parents of the same breed or variety.
• Inbreed: To breed from closely related individuals.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Hybrid vigour (or heterosis): A biological phenomenon where a hybrid has qualities superior to those of both parents.
  • The hybrid corn exhibits significant hybrid vigour, growing faster and taller.

Verb

1. breed animals or plants using parents of different races and varieties
   • cross a horse and a donkey
   • Mendel tried crossbreeding
   • these species do not interbreed