half-blood

1 of 2

adjective

ˈhaf-ˈbləd How to pronounce half-blood (audio)
ˈhäf-
variants or less commonly half-blooded
: related to or being a half blood
half-blood steers
half-blood bison females

Note: Use of the adjective half-blood to refer to a person having parents of different races (see race entry 1 sense 1a) is considered offensive.

half blood

2 of 2

noun

plural half bloods
1
a
: the relation between persons having only one parent in common
b
: a person so related to another
2
offensive : half-breed
3
: a domestic animal with one parent purebred and the other of inferior breeding : grade sense 4

Examples of half-blood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The crown has passed from one half-blood to another. Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1608, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of half-blood was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near half-blood

half bishop

half-blood

half blood

Cite this Entry

“Half-blood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half-blood. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

half blood

noun
: the relation between persons having only one parent in common
also : a person so related to another

More from Merriam-Webster on half-blood

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