How Do You Spell HAMPSHIRE DOWN?

Pronunciation: [hˈampʃə dˈa͡ʊn] (IPA)

The spelling of "Hampshire Down" is based on the county of Hampshire in southern England, where this breed of sheep originated. The word is pronounced /ˈhæmpʃər daʊn/, with the first syllable stressed and the second syllable pronounced with the "ow" vowel sound as in "cow." The "a" in "Hampshire" is pronounced with the short "a" sound, while the final "e" is silent. The word "Down" refers to the breed's thick and soft wool, which is highly valued in textile production.

HAMPSHIRE DOWN Meaning and Definition

1. Hampshire Down is a breed of domestic sheep characterized by its distinct features, origin, and purpose. Primarily a meat breed, Hampshire Downs are known for their compact and muscular body structure, making them highly desirable for commercial lamb production.

   Originating in Hampshire County, England, the Hampshire Down breed was developed during the early 19th century through the selective breeding of Southdown sheep with other local breeds. Known for their hardiness, adaptability, and excellent foraging capabilities, Hampshire Downs have since become well-established in various countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.

   These sheep are typically medium to large-sized, with a deep and broad body set on strong, sturdy legs. They possess a thick, dense fleece that provides excellent insulation and protection against inclement weather conditions. The wool of Hampshire Downs is often white, though it can also be light gray or cream-colored.

   With a favorable meat-to-bone ratio, Hampshire Downs are renowned for their high-quality meat, which is well-marbled, tender, and succulent. Their efficiency in converting forage to meat, coupled with their rapid growth rate and early maturation, make them a popular choice among commercial producers.

   Furthermore, Hampshire Downs have a calm and gentle disposition, making them easy to handle and manage. Due to their versatility, they also find applications in crossbreeding programs to incorporate their desirable traits into other sheep breeds, thereby improving overall meat production and quality.

Common Misspellings for HAMPSHIRE DOWN

• gampshire down
• bampshire down
• nampshire down
• jampshire down
• uampshire down
• yampshire down
• hzmpshire down
• hsmpshire down
• hwmpshire down
• hqmpshire down
• hanpshire down
• hakpshire down
• hajpshire down
• hamoshire down
• hamlshire down
• ham-shire down
• ham0shire down
• hampahire down
• hampzhire down

Etymology of HAMPSHIRE DOWN

The word "Hampshire Down" is a compound term that refers to a specific breed of sheep. The etymology of the term can be broken down as follows:

1. Hampshire: The term "Hampshire" refers to the county of Hampshire, located in southern England. The breed originated in this county and was developed there. The name "Hampshire" itself is derived from Old English, where "hamm" means "water meadow" and "sceir" means "shire" or "district". Therefore, the word "Hampshire" can be understood as "the district of water meadows".

2. Down: The term "Down" in this context refers to a specific type of sheep breed characterized by dense, fine-textured wool. The term "down" in English comes from the Old English word "dūn", meaning "hill" or "downland".