hypergamy

American  

[hahy-pur-guh-mee] / haɪˈpɜr gə mi /

noun

1. the practice among Hindu women of marrying into a caste at least as high as their own.

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hypergamy British  

/ haɪˈpɜːɡəmɪ /

noun

1. anthropol a custom that forbids a woman to marry a man of lower social status

2. any marriage with a partner of higher social status

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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?

• monogamy
• polygamy
• caste
• hypogamy

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hypergamous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypergamy

First recorded in 1880–85; hyper- + -gamy

Example Sentences

Hypergamy is found in the Central Provinces among the subcastes of Kanaujia Brāhmans.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)