underbred

comparative more underbred · superlative most underbred · alternative under-bred

1. Of inferior breeding or upbringing; vulgar, lacking in manners or finesse.

   The art of governing these under-bred varlets lies more in the dignity of looks than in words […].

   1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CDXXIII”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   Himself, he felt the most underbred of all; he was afraid of these Utopians: snobbish and abject before them, he was like a mannerless earthy lout in a drawing-room, and he was bitterly ashamed of his own abjection.

   1923, H. G. Wells, Men Like Gods

   Synonyms: uncouth, rude, impolite

2. Not purebred; of an inferior strain.

   I prefer both sire and dam to be well-bred, but a well-bred mare and an underbred horse will produce a faster animal than a thoroughbred horse and an underbred mare.

   1902, Frank Sherman Peer, Cross country with horse and hound

alternative under-bred

1. participlepastsimple past and past participle of underbreed