pedigree

[ ped-i-gree ]

noun

1. an ancestral line; line of descent; lineage; ancestry.
2. a genealogical table, chart, list, or record, especially of a purebred animal.
3. distinguished, excellent, or pure ancestry.
4. derivation, origin, or history:

   the pedigree of a word.

pedigree

/ ˈpɛdɪˌɡriː /

noun

1. 1. the line of descent of a purebred animal
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pedigree bull

2. a document recording this
3. a genealogical table, esp one indicating pure ancestry
4. derivation or background

   the pedigree of an idea

Derived Forms

• ˈpediˌgreed, adjective

Other Word Forms

• pedi·greeless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedigree¹

1375–1425; late Middle English pedegru, from Anglo-French, equivalent to Middle French pie de grue literally, “foot of crane,” a fanciful way of describing the appearance of the lines of a genealogical chart

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedigree¹

C15: from Old French pie de grue crane's foot, alluding to the spreading lines used in a genealogical chart

Synonym Study

Pedigree, genealogy refer to an account of ancestry. A pedigree is a table or chart recording a line of ancestors, either of persons or (more especially) of animals, as horses, cattle, and dogs; in the case of animals, such a table is used as proof of superior qualities: a detailed pedigree. A genealogy is an account of the descent of a person or family traced through a series of generations, usually from the first known ancestor: a genealogy that includes a king.

Example Sentences

There are others on the leaderboard with pedigree though.

From BBC

It may have come down to how psychologically scarred the squad and club were from relegation, and it is a fanciful suggestion but the pedigree was there.

From BBC

Eugene Brooks, a four-star prospect out of Sierra Canyon High, has the pedigree to take over one of the spots at guard after spending his first college season at Oklahoma.

From Los Angeles Times

Coming from a country with little tennis pedigree, Eala is already accustomed to being a trailblazer for the Philippines - even though she is still a teenager.

From BBC

Coming from a country with little tennis pedigree, Alexandra Eala is already accustomed to being a trailblazer for the Philippines - even though she is still only 19.

From BBC

Related Words

• lineage