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

• hypergamous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypergamy

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hypergamy

The Kanaujia Brāhmans of the Central Provinces practise hypergamy, as described in the general article on Brāhman.

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

The custom of hypergamy prevails somewhat largely in northern India between different subcastes, groups of different social status in the same subcaste, and occasionally even between different castes.

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

The Khandaits practise hypergamy with the Rautadi, taking daughters from them, but not giving their daughters to them.

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

The Benetia Sānsias practise hypergamy with the Khandait Sansias, taking their daughters in marriage, but not giving daughters to them.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India - Volume IV of IV Kumhar-Yemkala by R. V. (Robert Vane) Russell

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 R. V. (Robert Vane) Russell