breeding

n. 1. The act or process of generating or bearing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The raising or improving of any kind of domestic animals; as, farmers should pay attention to breeding. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Nurture; education; formation of manners. [ 1913 Webster ]

She had her breeding at my father's charge. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Deportment or behavior in the external offices and decorums of social life; manners; knowledge of, or training in, the ceremonies, or polite observances of society. [ 1913 Webster ]

Delicacy of breeding, or that polite deference and respect which civility obliges us either to express or counterfeit towards the persons with whom we converse. Hume. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Descent; pedigree; extraction. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Honest gentlemen, I know not your breeding. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Close breeding,
In and in breeding, breeding from a male and female from the same parentage. --
Cross breeding, breeding from a male and female of different lineage. --
Good breeding, politeness; genteel deportment. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Education; instruction; nurture; training; manners. See Education. [ 1913 Webster ]