outcross en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úd Proto-Germanic *ūt Proto-Germanic *ūt- Old English ūt- Middle English ut- English out- Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker-der.? Proto-Italic *kruks /*krukis Latin cruxbor. Old Irish crosbor. Old Norse krossbor. Old English cros Middle English cross English cross English outcross From out- + cross.
Meanings
-
The introduction of unrelated breeding stock to an existing population, especially one which is inbred or homogeneous.
Their two sons, Joseph I and Charles VI went still further in their pursuit of an out-cross by both marrying princesses from the Guelph house of Brunswick.
2007, Tim Blanning, The Pursuit of Glory, Penguin, published 2008, page 249:
- A plant or animal produced by such methods.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| out-cross | alternative | lexicographic | |
| outcrosses | Number=Plur | lexicographic |