Definition

1. Transitive Verb:
   • To cause to become a mongrel; to make mixed or hybrid in breed or character: The primary meaning refers to the act of crossing or mixing different breeds, varieties, or types, often resulting in something considered of mixed or impure origin. This term is frequently used in biological contexts regarding animals but can be applied metaphorically to other domains.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive Verb:
  • The irresponsible breeder would mongrelize the purebred line by introducing unknown strains.
  • Some argue that globalization will mongrelize local cultures, creating a homogeneous blend.
  • The plant was mongrelized through uncontrolled cross-pollination with a wild species.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The term mongrelize often carries a negative or pejorative connotation, implying a degradation of purity or quality through mixing. Its use, especially in social or cultural contexts, can be considered offensive.
• The process described is intentional or unintentional hybridization.
• "to mongrelize a population": This phrase is used in genetics or animal husbandry to describe the effect of introducing genetic diversity (often viewed negatively) into a previously isolated group.
  • The introduction of non-native species threatened to mongrelize the local fish population.

Variants and Related Words

• Mongrel (n): An animal, especially a dog, of no definable type or breed; a crossbreed. By extension, something of mixed origin.
• Mongrelization (n): The process or result of mongrelizing.
  • The mongrelization of the language was evident in the new dialect.
• Mongrelise (v): British English spelling variant of 'mongrelize'.

Synonyms

• Hybridize: To cross-breed animals or plants of different species or varieties. (More neutral in tone)
• Crossbreed: To produce an animal or plant by mating two different species, breeds, or varieties.
• Bastardize: To debase or corrupt by adding inferior elements. (Strongly pejorative)

Antonyms

• Purify: To make pure; to remove contaminants or foreign elements.
• Refine: To improve by removing impurities or unwanted elements.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Genetic dilution: A concept in biology sometimes associated with the idea of mongrelization, referring to the reduction of a specific genotype's frequency in a population.
• Cultural hybridity: A more modern and neutral/positive term for the mixing of cultural elements, contrasting with the negative implication of in cultural contexts.

Verb

1. cause to become a mongrel
   • mongrelized dogs