mongrel

(mäŋgrəl, muŋ-)

noun

  1. an animal or plant produced by the crossing of different breeds or varieties; esp., a dog of this kind
  2. anything produced by indiscriminate mixture

Origin: ME mengrell < base of OE mengan, to mix + dim. suffix -rel as in cockerel: form infl. by ME mong, aphetic < OE gemong, mixture: see among

adjective

of mixed breed, race, origin, or character: often a contemptuous or derogatory usage

See mongrel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. An animal or a plant resulting from various interbreedings, especially a dog of mixed or undetermined breed.
  2. A cross between different breeds, groups, or varieties, especially a mixture that is or appears to be incongruous.
adjective
Of mixed origin or character.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , probably from mong, mixture

Origin: , from Old English gemang; see mag- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • mon·grelˈism noun
  • monˈgrel·ly adverb

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