true-bred
- Adjective:
- Of genuine or pure breed: "true-bred" describes an animal, especially a horse, that comes from a recognized and pure lineage or stock.
- Of authentic or typical character: By extension, "true-bred" can describe a person or thing that embodies the essential or ideal qualities of a particular class or type.
Of pure breed:
- The stable only sells true-bred horses for racing. (Horses of pure lineage.)
- A true-bred terrier has a distinct temperament. (A dog from a recognized pure breed.)
Of authentic character:
- He is a true-bred gentleman, always courteous and kind. (He perfectly embodies the ideal qualities of a gentleman.)
- Her cooking is true-bred Italian, using only traditional methods. (Her cooking is authentically and typically Italian in style.)
"true-bred" as an attributive adjective: It is most commonly placed directly before the noun it modifies, though it can also appear after a linking verb.
- The champion is a true-bred athlete. (Attributive use before the noun.)
- His loyalty is true-bred, not learned. (After a linking verb, describing his loyalty as innate.)
"true-bred" in formal contexts: The term is often used in breeding, agriculture, or discussions of lineage, but can be extended metaphorically in literary or formal writing.
- The true-bred aristocracy maintained their estates for generations. (Referring to families with long, pure lineage.)
True breeding (noun phrase): The process or quality of being from a pure lineage; also used in genetics to describe organisms that produce offspring with consistent traits.
- True breeding in plants ensures predictable characteristics. (The quality of producing consistent offspring.)
Bred (adjective, past participle of "breed"): Having been produced or raised in a particular way.
- He is a well-bred young man. (Raised with good manners.)
Purebred: of a recognized breed with a documented lineage.
- A purebred Labrador is a true-bred example of the breed. (Purebred is a direct synonym for the animal sense.)
Authentic: genuine and true to its type.
- His accent is authentic, true-bred English. (Authentic emphasizes the genuine quality.)
Bred in the bone: inherent or deeply ingrained from upbringing or ancestry.
- His love of music is bred in the bone, a true-bred talent. (His talent is innate and inherited, like a true-bred quality.)
Of the old school: adhering to traditional values or methods.
- She is a teacher of the old school, a true-bred educator. (She embodies the classic, ideal qualities of a teacher.)