verb

breed

to breed, to rear, to raise, to cause

He breeds horses on his farm.

He breeds horses on his farm.

Poverty often breeds crime.

Poverty often breeds crime.

((sth.)) to raise animals He breeds cattle for a living.

((sth.)) to cause sth. to develop Success breeds confidence.

Synonyms: raise, rear, propagate, generate

From Old English 'brēdan,' meaning 'to cherish, keep warm,' which evolved to mean 'to bring young to birth.'

Think of 'bread' - you need to raise (breed) wheat to make bread. The verb 'breed' and the noun 'breed' (like a breed of dog) are closely related.

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