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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ill breeding

Ill \Ill\ ([i^]l), a. [The regular comparative and superlative are wanting, their places being supplied by worseand worst, from another root.] [OE. ill, ille, Icel. illr; akin to Sw. illa, adv., Dan. ilde, adv.]

  1. Contrary to good, in a physical sense; contrary or opposed to advantage, happiness, etc.; bad; evil; unfortunate; disagreeable; unfavorable.

    Neither is it ill air only that maketh an ill seat, but ill ways, ill markets, and ill neighbors.
    --Bacon.

    There 's some ill planet reigns.
    --Shak.

  2. Contrary to good, in a moral sense; evil; wicked; wrong; iniquitious; naughtly; bad; improper.

    Of his own body he was ill, and gave The clergy ill example.
    --Shak.

  3. Sick; indisposed; unwell; diseased; disordered; as, ill of a fever.

    I am in health, I breathe, and see thee ill.
    --Shak.

  4. Not according with rule, fitness, or propriety; incorrect; rude; unpolished; inelegant. That 's an ill phrase. --Shak. Ill at ease, uneasy; uncomfortable; anxious. ``I am very ill at ease.'' --Shak. Ill blood, enmity; resentment; bad blood. Ill breeding, lack of good breeding; rudeness. Ill fame, ill or bad repute; as, a house of ill fame, a house where lewd persons meet for illicit intercourse. Ill humor, a disagreeable mood; bad temper. Ill nature, bad disposition or temperament; sullenness; esp., a disposition to cause unhappiness to others. Ill temper, anger; moroseness; crossness. Ill turn.

    1. An unkind act.

    2. A slight attack of illness. [Colloq. U.S.] -- Ill will, unkindness; enmity; malevolence.

      Syn: Bad; evil; wrong; wicked; sick; unwell.

Usage examples of "ill breeding".

Visions of good and ill breeding, of old vulgarisms and new gentilities were before her.