eugenic

[ yoo-jen-ik ]
See synonyms for eugenic on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. of or relating to measures intended to produce a perceived improvement in the characteristics of the human species or a human population, especially through reproductive policy.

  2. having inherited characteristics that are seen as favorable for the purpose of producing or reproducing perceived improvements in the human species or a human population.: Compare dysgenic.

Origin of eugenic

1
First recorded in 1880–85; from Greek eugen(ḗs) “wellborn” (see eu-, -gen) + -ic
  • Also eu·gen·i·cal [yoo-jen-i-kuhl] /yuˈdʒɛn ɪ kəl/ .

Other words from eugenic

  • eu·gen·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • non·eu·gen·ic, adjective
  • non·eu·gen·i·cal, adjective
  • non·eu·gen·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • un·eu·gen·ic, adjective
  • un·eu·gen·i·cal, adjective
  • un·eu·gen·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby eugenic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use eugenic in a sentence

  • She operated at a time when eugenic arguments were very much in vogue, harnessed by both sides of the birth-control debate.

    How Palin Flunks Feminism | Michelle Goldberg | November 26, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Mating determined by unconscious psychological motives instead of eugenic considerations.

    Taboo and Genetics | Melvin Moses Knight, Iva Lowther Peters, and Phyllis Mary Blanchard
  • Medicine and surgery—well, there's a huge program of compulsory sterilization, and another one of eugenic marriage-control.

    Hunter Patrol | Henry Beam Piper and John J. McGuire
  • Without love, all the efforts of all the eugenic Societies on earth will accomplish little, however well-meant their efforts.

  • There was no ideal of sex-equality, and therefore Love was regarded as the least important requisite in eugenic marriage.

  • There yet remains the eugenic inducement and, I believe, a personal one!

    Diane of the Green Van | Leona Dalrymple