endogamy
|en-do-ga-my|
/ˈɛn.də.ɡə.mi/
marrying within a group
Etymology
'endogamy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'endogamos', where 'endo-' meant 'within' and 'gamos' meant 'marriage'.
'endogamy' passed into Late Latin/Medieval Latin as 'endogamia' and then into modern English as 'endogamy'.
Initially, it meant 'marriage within (a group)', and over time it has retained that core meaning while also being used in biological contexts to describe within-group mating.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the custom or practice of marrying within a specific social group, class, caste, or ethnic group.
Many traditional societies practiced endogamy to preserve social status and property.
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Noun 2
the tendency for mating or reproduction to occur within a limited population or group (often used in biology/anthropology); may lead to inbreeding.
High levels of endogamy in isolated populations can increase the prevalence of genetic disorders.
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Last updated: 2025/12/06 20:10