mongrel

mon·grel

noun \ˈmäŋ-grəl, ˈməŋ-\

Definition of MONGREL

1

: an individual resulting from the interbreeding of diverse breeds or strains; especially : one of unknown ancestry

2

: a cross between types of persons or things

— mongrel adjective

— mon·grel·i·za·tion \ˌmäŋ-grə-lə-ˈzā-shən, ˌməŋ-\ noun

— mon·grel·ize \ˈmäŋ-grə-ˌlīz, ˈməŋ-\ transitive verb

Examples of MONGREL

1. She owns several dogs, including a mongrel named Stella.
2. <mongrels often suffer fewer health problems than purebreds>

Origin of MONGREL

Middle English, probably from mong mixture, short for ymong, from Old English gemong crowd — more at among

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to MONGREL

Synonyms: cross, crossbred, crossbreed, intercross, hybrid

Related Words: mule; outcross; half-bred; mulatto

Near Antonyms: full-blood, pureblood, purebred, thoroughbred

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Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity