positive eugenics

noun

See under eugenics.

Origin of positive eugenics

First recorded in 1905–10

Words nearby positive eugenics

positive definite, positive discrimination, positive electricity, positive electron, positive end-expiratory pressure, positive eugenics, positive feedback, positive ion, positive law, positive organ, positive polarity

Definition for positive eugenics (2 of 2)

eugenics
[ yoo-jen-iks ]
/ yuˈdʒɛn ɪks /

noun (used with a singular verb)

the study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population, especially by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics).

Origin of eugenics

First recorded in 1880–85; see origin at eugenic, -ics

British Dictionary definitions for positive eugenics

eugenics
/ (juːˈdʒɛnɪks) /

noun

(functioning as singular) the study of methods of improving the quality of the human race, esp by selective breeding

Derived forms of eugenics

eugenic, adjective eugenically, adverb eugenicist, noun eugenist (ˈjuːdʒənɪst), noun, adjective

Word Origin for eugenics

C19: from Greek eugenēs well-born, from eu- + -genēs born; see -gen

Medical definitions for positive eugenics

eugenics
[ yōō-jĕn′ĭks ]

n.

The study of hereditary improvement of the human race by controlled selective breeding.

Cultural definitions for positive eugenics

eugenics
[ (yooh-jen-iks) ]

The idea that one can improve the human race by careful selection of those who mate and produce offspring.

notes for eugenics

Eugenics was a popular theory in the early twentieth century but is no longer taken seriously, primarily because of the horrors of the eugenic efforts of the Nazi regime in Germany.