breeding

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
  2. noun the result of good upbringing (especially knowledge of correct social behavior)
  3. noun helping someone grow up to be an accepted member of the community

Etymology

From Middle English breedyng, bredynge (“gestation, incubation, propagation, hatching; engineering, formation, development, growth”), equivalent to breed + -ing.

In classic literature

Synonyms

genteelness, gentility

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