| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
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| thoroughbred, purebred (adjs., nn.) |
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| Both words mean “carefully bred through a long genetic line,” but thoroughbred is usually used of horses, purebred of dogs, other animals, and plants. In horsebreeding a thoroughbred is one of a particular line of horses, stemming from Arabian stallions and English mares. Thoroughbred is also used figuratively as noun and adjective to indicate excellent qualities of breeding, stamina, beauty, performance, and the like: They were both real thoroughbreds: they had brains, looks, and manners, and the stamina and drive to use them well to achieve their goals. | 1 |
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| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
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