thoroughbred
/ˈθʌrəbred/ (bre, ipa) · [θˈɚobrˈɛd] /ˈθɜːrəʊbred/ (ame, ipa) · [θˈɚobrˈɛd] /ˈthər-ə-ˌbred How to pronounce thoroughbred (audio) ˈthə-rə-/ (ame, mw)
thoroughbred — 形容詞
- thoroughbredpositive
- more thoroughbredcomparative
- most thoroughbredsuperlative
1. coming from a recorded line within one breed, especially in horses, and often su
純種的
血統純正，尤指馬等動物
coming from a recorded line within one breed, especially in horses, and often suggesting the quality linked with that background.
Sahil bought a thoroughbred colt from a farm near Lexington.
Sahil 在列星頓附近的農場買了一匹純種的小公馬。
collocation: thoroughbred colt
The breeder keeps careful records to prove each foal is thoroughbred.
飼養員保存仔細的紀錄，來證明每匹小馬都是純種的。
pattern: be + thoroughbred
Judges praised the mare's thoroughbred build and smooth, powerful stride.
評審稱讚那匹母馬有純種的體態和流暢有力的步伐。
Her family wanted a thoroughbred dog for the national obedience show.
她家人想要一隻純種的狗去參加全國服從比賽。
- mixed-breed
describes an animal whose parents come from different breeds
- mongrel
older term, mainly for dogs of mixed ancestry
文法句型
thoroughbred + noun
be + thoroughbred
用法筆記
Usually describes animals whose ancestry has been carefully recorded. When used more loosely, it often praises the quality or bearing associated with that breeding rather than literally proving a bloodline.
thoroughbred — 名詞
1. a horse from the English breed that is raised mainly for speed and racing.
純血馬
主要用於競速比賽的英國馬種
a horse from the English breed that is raised mainly for speed and racing.
Joaquin watched the young thoroughbred circle the track before sunrise.
Joaquin 看著那匹年輕的純血馬在日出前繞著跑道慢跑。
young thoroughbred + racing scene
The stable sold its fastest thoroughbred to an owner in Dubai.
那家馬房把最快的純血馬賣給了杜拜的一位馬主。
sell a thoroughbred
The trainer checked the thoroughbred's legs after the muddy race.
訓練師在泥濘賽事後檢查了那匹純血馬的腿。
Crowds cheered as the thoroughbred pulled ahead on the final turn.
當那匹純血馬在最後一個彎道超前時，人群歡呼了起來。
- cart horse
suggests a heavy working horse rather than a fast racing breed
文法句型
a thoroughbred + verb
the thoroughbred's + body part
用法筆記
This is the specific racing-breed meaning. Distinguish it from sense 2: sense 1 normally refers to horses and often appears in racing or sales contexts.
常見錯誤
2. an animal with a documented family line showing that its breed is not mixed.
純種動物
有清楚血統紀錄的動物
an animal with a documented family line showing that its breed is not mixed.
Romi only breeds thoroughbreds that can be traced back for generations.
Romi 只繁殖那些血統可以往上追溯好幾代的純種動物。
breed thoroughbreds
At the county fair, the judge separated thoroughbreds from mixed-breed goats.
在郡展上，評審把純種動物和混種山羊分開。
thoroughbreds from mixed-breed animals
The rescue center rarely receives thoroughbreds because breeders keep close records.
那間收容中心很少收到純種動物，因為飼養者都保存完整紀錄。
Insurance for a valuable thoroughbred is higher than for other cattle.
名貴純種動物的保險費比其他牛隻更高。
- purebred
the most direct alternative in everyday animal-breeding talk
- pedigree animal
more explicit phrase that foregrounds the recorded bloodline
- mixed breed
describes an animal from more than one breed line
文法句型
a thoroughbred + animal noun
thoroughbreds + from/of + breed group
用法筆記
Broader than sense 1 because it can refer to other kinds of animals, not only horses. It is most common in breeding, show, and registration contexts.
3. a person whose manners, education, or skill show long and careful training.
老手；雅士
受過良好訓練或教養的人
a person whose manners, education, or skill show long and careful training.
At the embassy dinner, Hui seemed like a true thoroughbred in every conversation.
在大使館晚宴上，Hui 在每段談話裡都像個真正的雅士。
figurative: social thoroughbred
The academy hired a thoroughbred to train the younger violin students.
那所學院聘請了一位老手來訓練較年輕的小提琴學生。
a thoroughbred in professional training
Rachid described his editor as a newsroom thoroughbred with exact standards.
Rachid 形容他的編輯是新聞室裡講究標準的老手。
When the debate began, Adina spoke like a political thoroughbred.
辯論一開始，Adina 說起話來就像政治圈的老手。
- professional
stresses skill and reliability more than breeding or polish
- expert
focuses on knowledge and skill, without the social tone
- gentleman
can overlap in older contexts when the stress is on breeding and manners
文法句型
a thoroughbred in + field
a social/political thoroughbred
用法筆記
A formal, often approving figurative use for someone who seems highly trained, refined, or naturally suited to an activity. It is much rarer than the animal senses.