hybrid

[ hahy-brid ]
/ ˈhaɪ brɪd /

noun

adjective

Origin of hybrid

First recorded in 1595–1605, hybrid is from the Latin word hybrida, hibrida a crossbred animal

SYNONYMS FOR hybrid

6 Hybrid, mongrel refer to animals or plants of mixed origin. Hybrid is the scientific term: hybrid corn; a hybrid variety of sheep. Mongrel, used originally of dogs to denote the offspring of crossings of different breeds, is now extended to other animals and to plants; it is usually deprecatory, as denoting mixed, nondescript, or degenerate breed or character: a mongrel pup.

Example sentences from the Web for hybrid

British Dictionary definitions for hybrid

hybrid
/ (ˈhaɪbrɪd) /

noun

adjective

Derived forms of hybrid

hybridism, noun hybridity, noun

Word Origin for hybrid

C17: from Latin hibrida offspring of a mixed union (human or animal)

Scientific definitions for hybrid

hybrid
[ hībrĭd ]

An organism that is the offspring of two parents that differ in one or more inheritable characteristics, especially the offspring of two different varieties of the same species or the offspring of two parents belonging to different species. In agriculture and animal husbandry, hybrids of different varieties and species are bred in order to combine the favorable characteristics of the parents. Hybrids often display hybrid vigor. The mule, which is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, is an example of a hybrid. It is strong for its size and has better endurance and a longer useful lifespan than its parents. However, mules are sterile, as are many animals that are hybrids between two species.