inbred

[ in-bred ]

adjective

1. naturally inherent; innate: native:

   her inbred grace.

   Synonyms: instinctive, constitutional, inborn

2. resulting from or involved in inbreeding.

inbred

/ ˈɪnˈbrɛd /

adjective

1. produced as a result of inbreeding
2. deeply ingrained; innate

   inbred good manners

Word History and Origins

Origin of inbred¹

First recorded in 1585–95; past participle of inbreed

Example Sentences

Not only that, but the pupfish are believed to be one of the most inbred of all species, a lack of genetic variation that makes it difficult for the creatures to procreate and thrive.

From New York Times

In bees, males are typically haploid and have only one set of chromosomes, but when they're inbred, they can have two sets of the same chromosomes and lack genetic diversity.

From Science Daily

Where possible, farmers use hybrid varieties, which are created by crossing two inbred lines and are more resistant and higher-yielding than normal varieties.

From Science Daily

More recently, studies have found the southern resident females have less hunting success than their neighbors up north and that the shrinking, increasingly inbred population of southern residents could be plummeting toward extinction.

From Seattle Times

Bowie noted that the results bear on a major debate in conservation biology today -- whether it is wise to bolster small, threatened, inbred populations by breeding them with related populations.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• deep-seated
• innate