First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
mongrel
noun mon·grel \ˈmäŋ-grəl, ˈməŋ-\
: a dog with parents of different breeds
Full 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
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Origin of MONGREL
Middle English, probably from mong mixture, short for ymong, from Old English gemong crowd — more at among
Related to MONGREL
- Synonyms
- cross, crossbred, crossbreed, intercross, hybrid
Other Genetics Terms
MONGREL Defined for Kids
1mongrel
noun mon·grel \ˈmäŋ-grəl, ˈməŋ-\
Definition of MONGREL for Kids
: an animal of mixed or uncertain origin
2mongrel
adjective
Definition of MONGREL for Kids
: of mixed or uncertain origin <a mongrel dog>
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