eugenics

[yoo-jen-iks]

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population, especially by such means as discouraging reproduction by people presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits negative eugenics or encouraging reproduction by people presumed to have inheritable desirable traits positive eugenics.

eugenics

/ ˈjuːdʒənɪst, juːˈdʒɛnɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the study of methods of improving the quality of the human race, esp by selective breeding

eugenics

1. The idea that one can improve the human race by careful selection of those who mate and produce offspring.

Eugenics was a popular theory in the early twentieth century but is no longer taken seriously, primarily because of the horrors of the eugenic efforts of the Nazi regime in Germany.

Other Word Forms

• eugenic adjective
• eugenist noun
• eugenically adverb
• eugenicist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of eugenics¹

First recorded in 1880–85; eugenic, -ics

Word History and Origins

Origin of eugenics¹

C19: from Greek eugenēs well-born, from _eu- + -genēs born; see _-gen