Origin of eugenics; from Classical Greek eugenēs (see Eugene) + -ics
noun(used with a sing. verb)
- (biology) The science of improving stock, whether human or animal.
- (philosophy) A social philosophy which advocates the improvement of human hereditary qualities through selective breeding.
Comes from Ancient Greek meaning "good breeding". Coined in 1883 by an English scientist, Francis Galton, who was cousin of Charles Darwin.