mongrel

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun derogatory term for a variation that is not genuine; something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin
  2. noun an inferior dog or one of mixed breed

Etymology

From Middle English mongrel, equivalent to mong (“mixture”) + -rel (pejorative diminutive); from Old English ġemang (“mingling”) (whence Modern English among), from Proto-Germanic *mang- (“mix; mixture”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

bastard

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