pedigree
UK[ˈped.ɪ.ɡriː]US[ˈped.ə.ɡriː]
n
the record of the animals or people from which a particular animal or person is descended
n
the background, history, or origin of something, especially when this is impressive
Etymology
the word 'pedigree' entered english in the early 15th century from the anglo-norman french phrase 'pe de grue', meaning 'crane's foot'. this term was used in medieval genealogical charts and family trees, where a branching line of descent was thought to resemble the footprint of a crane. the phrase was later altered in middle french to 'pied de grue' and then anglicized to 'pedigree'. the semantic evolution is vividly metaphorical, moving from a literal animal's foot to a diagrammatic representation, and finally to the abstract concept of recorded lineage or distinguished ancestry.
Analysis
the word 'pedigree' is a simplex loanword from anglo-norman and middle french. it is not productively formed from separable morphemes within modern english spelling.
Examples
the dog's pedigree traces back to champion bloodlines.
she comes from a family with an impressive political pedigree.
the company has a long pedigree of innovation in the tech industry.