hypergamy
|hy-per-ga-my|
C1
🇺🇸
/haɪˈpɜːrɡəmi/
🇬🇧
/haɪˈpɜːɡəmi/
marrying up
Etymology
Etymology Information
'hypergamy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'hyper-' meaning 'above' and 'gamos' meaning 'marriage'.
Historical Evolution
'hypergamy' was coined in the 19th century to describe the social practice of marrying into a higher caste or social group.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'marrying into a higher caste,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'seeking a spouse of higher socioeconomic status.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Last updated: 2025/05/03 17:41