Main Entry:

¹blood

Pronunciation:

\ˈbləd\

Function:

noun

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English blōd; akin to Old High German bluot blood

Date:

before 12th century

1 a (1): the fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing away waste products from all parts of the body (2): a comparable fluid of an invertebrate b: a fluid resembling blood2: the shedding of blood ; also : the taking of life3 a: lifeblood ; broadly : life b: human stock or lineage ; especially : royal lineage <a prince of the blood> c: relationship by descent from a common ancestor : kinship d: persons related through common descent : kindred e (1): honorable or high birth or descent (2): descent from parents of recognized breed or pedigree4 a: blood regarded as the seat of the emotions : temper bobsolete : lust c: a showy foppish man : rake5: members of a team, staff, or organization : personnel <a company in need of new blood>6: a black American male —used especially among blacks

— in one's blood

: ingrained in one's nature : occurring as an innate or seemingly hereditary principle, inclination, or talent <with two parents who are painters, art is in her blood>