miscegenation

Meaning

Noun

• The mixing or blending of race in marriage or breeding, interracial marriage.
• A mixing or blending, especially one which is considered to be inappropriate.

Related

Similar words

• miscegeny

Origin

• from Latin -ation.
• The term was first used in an anonymous pamphlet which claimed to be written by a person who believed in the inherent unity of all racial groups, that marriage between the blacks and whites would create a better race, and that the American Civil War was a fight for the latter idea. Later, it was exposed that the pretext of the pamphlet was false and that it had actually been written by a group which hoped to inflame anger. They particularly hoped to create anger against then-US President Abraham Lincoln who was up for reelection and had recently abolished most forms of slavery in the United States.
• Replaced previous amalgamation, from metallurgy. See further discussion.