eugenic

[ yoo-jen-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to measures intended to produce a perceived improvement in the characteristics of the human species or a human population, especially through reproductive policy.
2. having inherited characteristics that are seen as favorable for the purpose of producing or reproducing perceived improvements in the human species or a human population. Compare dysgenic.

Other Words From

• eu·gen·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·eu·gen·ic adjective
• non·eu·gen·i·cal adjective
• non·eu·gen·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·eu·gen·ic adjective
• un·eu·gen·i·cal adjective
• un·eu·gen·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of eugenic¹

First recorded in 1880–85; from Greek eugen(ḗs) “wellborn” ( eu-, -gen ) + -ic

Example Sentences

While the victims of eugenics were generally poor, that wasn’t always the case.

From Washington Post

The state passed a law in July to provide reparations for these women and the several hundred people sterilized during the eugenics era who are still living.

From Washington Post

Later, eugenics and even ESP were for a time taken seriously by some “modern” scientists.

From Science News

She operated at a time when eugenic arguments were very much in vogue, harnessed by both sides of the birth-control debate.

From The Daily Beast

Mating determined by unconscious psychological motives instead of eugenic considerations.

From Project Gutenberg

Medicine and surgery—well, there's a huge program of compulsory sterilization, and another one of eugenic marriage-control.

From Project Gutenberg

Without love, all the efforts of all the Eugenic Societies on earth will accomplish little, however well-meant their efforts.

From Project Gutenberg

There was no ideal of sex-equality, and therefore Love was regarded as the least important requisite in Eugenic marriage.

From Project Gutenberg

There yet remains the eugenic inducement and, I believe, a personal one!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ancestral
• hereditary
• historical