blue-blooded
UK[ˌbluː ˈblʌdɪd]US[ˌbluː ˈblʌdɪd]
adj
belonging to or characteristic of the aristocracy or nobility, typically suggesting inherited high social status.
adj
(of an animal, especially a dog or horse) of a pure breed.
Morpheme Breakdown
blue
blood
ed
blue
color
blood
lineage
ed
adjective suffix
Etymology
the term "blue-blooded" is a calque, or loan translation, of the spanish phrase "sangre azul," which was used by spanish nobles to claim pure christian descent, uncontaminated by moorish or jewish ancestry. the notion of "blue blood" arose from the visible blue veins of fair-skinned aristocrats, contrasting with the darker complexions of those who worked outdoors. the english compound "blue-blooded" was formed by directly combining the adjective "blue," the noun "blood" in its metaphorical sense of lineage, and the suffix "-ed" to create an adjective meaning "having blue blood." this etymological journey illustrates how a physical characteristic attributed to a privileged class became a metaphor for noble birth and, by extension, pure breeding.
Analysis
Structure: blue (color) + blood (lineage) + ed (adjective suffix)
blue: from old english 'blāw', of germanic origin; denotes the color blue.
blood: from old english 'blōd', of germanic origin; denotes lineage or descent.
ed: from old english '-ed', '-od', '-ad'; a suffix forming adjectives with the sense 'having, characterized by'.
Examples
she comes from a long line of blue-blooded aristocrats who have lived in the castle for centuries.
his blue-blooded pedigree was evident in his refined manners and extensive education.
the kennel club only registers blue-blooded dogs with a verifiable lineage.