hypergamy
Americannoun
noun
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anthropol a custom that forbids a woman to marry a man of lower social status
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any marriage with a partner of higher social status
Usage
What does hypergamy mean? Hypergamy is the practice of marrying above one's social status or class (i.e., "marrying up"). What are some other words related to hypergamy?
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of hypergamy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Sanādhyas themselves have two divisions, the Sārhe-tīn ghar and Dasghar, or Three-and-a-half houses and Ten houses, of whom the former are superior, and practise hypergamy with the latter.
From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)
The social results of hypergamy, when commonly practised, are highly injurious.
From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)
They have the same complicated arrangement of exogamy and hypergamy as the Khatris, and will take food from that caste.
From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)
They practise hypergamy by taking wives from the Pitariye and Sudihe subdivisions, and giving daughters to the Sri Nagariye and Banjar Māhuwe subdivisions.
From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India—Volume I (of IV) by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)
The practice of hypergamy is, or was until recently, common among Brāhmans.
From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
