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

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 Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)

The practice of hypergamy is, or was until recently, common among Brāhmans.

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

Matches are, however, not generally arranged according to the above system of hypergamy, but each group marries among its own members.

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

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 Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)

The Sanādhyas themselves have two divisions, the Sārhe-tīn ghar and Dasghar, or Three-and-a-half houses and Ten houses, of whom the former are superior, and practise hypergamy with the latter.

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