outcrossing
|out-cross-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈaʊt.krɔsɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈaʊt.krɒsɪŋ/
(outcross)
crossing with outside/unrelated individuals
Etymology
'outcross' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'out' and 'cross'; 'out' comes from Old English 'ūt' meaning 'out', and 'cross' ultimately traces to Latin 'crux' meaning 'cross'.
'cross' passed from Latin 'crux' into various Germanic languages (e.g. Old English/Old Norse forms) and became Middle/Modern English 'cross'; the compound 'outcross' developed in Modern English usage (especially in agriculture and biology) to denote crossing outside a given line or group.
Initially the components literally meant 'out' + 'cross' (a crossing outside); over time the compound took on a technical biological meaning of 'crossing with an unrelated or external individual/strain' and is now used primarily in genetics and breeding contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the practice or result of crossing organisms (plants or animals) with individuals from different populations or unrelated strains to increase genetic diversity.
Outcrossing can increase genetic diversity and reduce the risk of inherited disorders.
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Verb 1
to breed or cross (individuals, lines, or populations) with unrelated individuals or different strains in order to introduce new genetic material or increase vigor.
Breeders are outcrossing their stock to prevent inbreeding depression.
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Last updated: 2025/10/16 07:02