inbred

/'in'bred/

Thân thiện

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Existing from birth; innate: Describes a quality, characteristic, or tendency that is natural and present from the time a person or animal is born.
   • Resulting from inbreeding: Describes an organism produced by the mating of closely related individuals over successive generations.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective (Innate):
  • She has an inbred talent for music. (Her musical ability is natural and present from birth.)
  • His inbred politeness makes him very popular. (His natural, inherent politeness is a key part of his character.)
• Adjective (Resulting from inbreeding):
  • The genetic disorder was common in the inbred population of the isolated village. (The disorder was prevalent due to generations of mating between close relatives.)
  • Inbred laboratory mice are used for consistent genetic research. (These mice are bred from closely related parents to maintain uniform genetic traits.)

Advanced Usage

• "Inbred aristocracy": A historical or social class where marriage within a limited group was common, often leading to the concentration of both desirable and undesirable hereditary traits.
  • The dynasty's decline was partly attributed to the physical and mental weaknesses of its inbred aristocracy.
• "Inbred prejudice": A deep-seated, seemingly innate bias that is culturally transmitted and deeply ingrained.
  • The community struggled to overcome its inbred prejudice against outsiders.

Variants and Related Words

• Inbreed (verb): To breed from closely related individuals.
  • Some animal breeders inbreed stock to fix certain characteristics.
• Inbreeding (noun): The act or process of breeding from closely related individuals.
  • Inbreeding can reduce genetic diversity within a population.

Synonyms

• Innate: Inborn; natural.
• Congenital: Present from birth.
• Hereditary: Genetically passed down from ancestors.
• Connatural: (Formal) Existing in a person or thing from birth; inherent.

Antonyms

• Acquired: Gained through experience or effort, not present at birth.
• Learned: Gained by study or experience.

Notes on Meaning

• The word inbred often carries a negative connotation, especially in its second meaning. It can imply undesirable genetic consequences, social insularity, or unthinking adherence to tradition.
• When describing innate qualities, it can be neutral or slightly formal, but context is key. "Inbred courtesy" sounds positive, while "inbred suspicion" sounds negative.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. normally existing at birth
   • mankind's connatural sense of the good
2. produced by inbreeding

Từ đồng nghĩa

• connatural
• inborn