Breed, n. 1. A race or variety of men or other animals (or of plants), perpetuating its special or distinctive characteristics by inheritance.
Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed.
Shak.
Greyhounds of the best breed.
Carpenter.
2. Class; sort; kind; — of men, things, or qualities.
Are these the breed of wits so wondered at?
Shak.
This courtesy is not of the right breed.
Shak.
3. A number produced at once; a brood.
☞ Breed is usually applied to domestic animals; species or variety to wild animals and to plants; and race to men.