endogamy
nounUK /ɛnˈdɒ.ɡə.mi/ · US /ɛnˈdɑ.ɡə.mi/
Etymology From endo- + -gamy; compare inmarriage.
1
Usually The practice of marrying or requiring to marry within one's own ethnic, religious, or social group.
- In the Suppliant Maidens the heroines seem to protest against endogamy, which prohibits marriage except between persons of the same blood or stock.1924, Herbert Weir Smyth, “VIII. Orestea. III: Eumenides”, in Aeschylean Tragedy, page 226:
- Far from suggesting a demoralized culture, endogamy here seemed the mark of a buoyantly confident group, settled in their skin and not needing outsiders.1995, Isabel Fonseca, Bury Me Standing, Vintage, published 2007, page 24:
2
Biology, Natural sciences Usually The fusion of two related gametes.
- Derived terms
- clan endogamy, endogamic, endogamous