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 blood
2 : the shedding of blood; also : the taking of life
3 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 pedigree
4 a : blood regarded as the seat of the emotions : temper b obsolete : lust c : a showy foppish man : rake
5 : 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>