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
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.
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
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 R. V. (Robert Vane) Russell
The Dāngis have no subcastes distinguished by separate names, but they are divided into three classes, among whom the principle of hypergamy prevails.
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
Up till recently they practised hypergamy with the other groups, taking daughters from them in marriage, but not giving their 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
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.
