blue-blood
UK[ˈbluː blʌd]US[ˈbluː blʌd]
adj
Belonging to or characteristic of the aristocracy or nobility.
n
A person of aristocratic or noble birth.
Morpheme Breakdown
blue
blood
blue
color
blood
lineage
Etymology
The term "blue-blood" is a calque, or loan translation, of the Spanish phrase "sangre azul." This phrase was used by Spanish nobles of Castile to claim pure Christian heritage, uncontaminated by Moorish or Jewish ancestry during the period of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. The "blue" reference likely stems from the visible blue veins of fair-skinned aristocrats, which contrasted with the darker complexions of those of mixed heritage. Over time, the literal visual metaphor evolved into an abstract sociological term denoting noble lineage and inherited high social status, entering English in the early 19th century.
Analysis
Structure: blue (color) + blood (lineage)
- blue: From Old English 'blāw', of Germanic origin, related to Old High German 'blāo'. In this compound, it functions as a descriptive adjective modifying 'blood'.
- blood: From Old English 'blōd', of Germanic origin, related to Old Norse 'blóð'. In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning 'lineage' or 'descent'.
Examples
He comes from a blue-blood family that can trace its lineage back to the Norman Conquest.
The university was once the preserve of the blue-bloods, but is now more diverse.
Her blue-blood upbringing was evident in her impeccable manners and accent.