These words may designate, collectively, those from whom one is descended or may indicate characteristics inherited from them. Descent is the most general word. It is frequently used to refer to the nationality, race or ethnic characteristics of one’s immediate forebears: a woman of Swedish descent . Ancestry refers most strictly to all one’s progenitors on both sides: He could trace his ancestry all the way back to William the Conqueror. It may also like descent , mean ancestral derivation of whatever kind: a youth of royal ancestry ; a mongrel of dubious ancestry . Unlike descent , however, ancestry sometimes points specifically to noble or distinguished forebears: He thought he was better than other people because of his ancestry . Lineage emphasizes a direct line of descent from a particular ancestor . It may embrace in one family, for purposes of genealogy, all the descendants of such a progenitor: St. Joseph was of the house and lineage of David. Lineage , however, excludes all other branching of the family tree. Many people are of the lineage of William the Conqueror, but the rest of their ancestry varies so greatly that their being of William’s lineage has relatively little significance in accounting for their individual characteristics.

Pedigree stresses notable ancestry that is documented in detail and that usually includes many outstanding forebears. It may also refer to a list or table of descent , often a genealogical register of an animal.

• A pedigreed pet is one of pure breed; Many dog owners are prouder of their pets pedigree than they are of their own.