Exogamous

/ɛkˈsɑɡəməs/ adjective

Definition

Describing organisms or people that mate or marry outside their own group, population, or family.

Etymology

From Greek 'exo-' meaning 'outside' and 'gamous' from 'gamos' meaning 'marriage.' This adjective form emphasizes the characteristic of seeking partners outside one's immediate group.

Kelly Says

Humans are naturally exogamous in most cultures because our distant ancestors figured out that genetic diversity makes healthier babies—it's literally written into our social rules!

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