Pedigree

Pedigree

Noun / Adjective · /ˈped.ɪ.ɡriː/

Definition

(Noun) (1) a record of the ancestry and lineage of a person or animal, especially a purebred animal — the pedigree of a Labrador, a pedigree going back six generations. (2) A person's or thing's background, history, or previous experience, especially when used to establish quality, authority, or suitability — the company has an impressive pedigree in engineering; an argument with an ancient philosophical pedigree. (Adjective) (of an animal) bred from recorded ancestors of unmixed origin; purebred — a pedigree cat.

Origin

From Anglo-French pé de grue (literally 'crane's foot') — from pied (foot) + de (of) + grue (crane). The term referring to the branching lines of a genealogical chart, which resemble a crane's foot with its three-toed spreading shape. Appearing in English from the fifteenth century in the genealogical sense, and developing the quality/provenance sense from the sixteenth century onwards.