true-bred

Adjective

true-bred (comparative more true-bred, superlative most true-bred)

1. Purebred; genetically pure.
   • The issue of a wife is unlawful seed; And none's legitimate, but mongrel breed. Thou, and thy branches, have quite cross'd the strain, We ne'er shall see a true-bred whelp again.2012, Faramerz Dabhoiwala, The Origins of Sex: A History of the First Sexual Revolution, →ISBN
   • The Henny strain never breeds a long-tailed cock unless crossed. The contrary has been stated by many persons, but the mistake has arisen from various birds which have not been true-bred Henny, but only the product of some cross; such will, of course, breed both kinds of plumage, but the true-bred...2013, Ed James, The Game Cock, →ISBN
2. Genuine.
   • Well, for two of them, I know them to be as true-bred cowards as ever turn'd back; and for the third, if he fight longer than he sees reason, I 'll forswear arms.1597, William Shakespeare, King Henry IV, part 1
   • But there are some covetous rigid persons, whose souls hold no sympathy with those of the innocent Anglers, having either got to be lords of royalties, or owners of lands adjoining to rivers, and these do, by some apted clownish nature and education for the purpose, insult and domineer over the...1653, Izaak Walton, The Compleat Angler: Or, Contemplative Man's Recreation.
3. Of a proper lineage.
   • Come all ye true-bred Irishmen, a story I will tell Concerning bold McCarthy who in Liverpool did dwell.1999, Edward D. Ives, “Bold McCarthy”, in Drive Dull Care Away: Folksongs from Prince Edward Island
   • Why, she is the image of Papa! A true Lacey! Don't you think so? A very true-bred heir, my darling!2007, Philippa Gregory, Wideacre: A Novel, →ISBN, page 255
4. Inborn.
   • Experience, I grant, he probably lacks ; but he has the true-bred instinct.1903, Mary Hallock Foote, A Touch of Sun, and Other Stories, page 16