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 Words From

• 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

We can continue to use the word while admitting that we don’t really have a scientific pedigree for where the development of the word came from.

From Nautilus

Home losses have piled up regardless of conference or program pedigree.

From FiveThirtyEight

The championship ambitions of the Los Angeles Lakers naturally centered on the historically great pedigree of LeBron James.

From FiveThirtyEight

You come away from the book realizing that the Spaniard is less a runner—the sport that made him famous—than a climber, though one of unusual pedigree.

From Outside Online

These historical acts — each with a different pedigree perhaps, or a different set of motivations — have resulted in a collection of disparities that go well beyond housing.

From Freakonomics

His sex-offender pedigree was real, though; Australian police have those certificates.

From The Daily Beast

Literary pedigree is or should be a valid concern for any writer or for any critic considering that writer.

From The Daily Beast

But for his political pedigree, Klain would have no business being Ebola coordinator.

From The Daily Beast

The last play with this pedigree was Matilda, still going strong a year and a half later.

From The Daily Beast

His pedigree is top-notch, but his political experience still green.

From The Daily Beast

She is of good pedigree, as I can show thee if thee will step over to my mill and look at my ledger.

From Project Gutenberg

Tracing back Tchaikovskys pedigree, we do not find a single name connected with music.

From Project Gutenberg

This lady was forty years of age, insufferably proud of her pedigree, and in her manners stiff and repulsive.

From Project Gutenberg

If the question had been simply one of pedigree, the right of the Dauphin would have been incontestable.

From Project Gutenberg

It certainly does not sparkle now, but it must have come of a witty stock, and have boasted a mirth-provoking pedigree.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• lineage