monogenism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowAcademic / Technical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “monogenism” mean?
The theory that humanity has a single origin, from a single ancestral pair.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The theory that humanity has a single origin, from a single ancestral pair.
The anthropological and theological doctrine asserting a common descent for all human races, as opposed to polygenism (multiple origins). It can also refer, in a broader biological sense, to the origin of a group from a single ancestor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Usage is equally rare and academic in both variants.
Connotations
The term is strongly associated with 19th-century scientific and theological debates. In modern context, it may carry an archaic or historically specific connotation.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both British and American English. Most occurrences are in academic texts discussing the history of anthropology or race theory.
Grammar
How to Use “monogenism” in a Sentence
The [noun/idea] of monogenism [verb: persisted/declined/argued].Scholars [verb: debated/discussed/rejected] monogenism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monogenism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The monogenist perspective was widely held in the early 19th century.
- His argument was firmly monogenist in character.
American English
- The monogenist view faced challenges from new fossil evidence.
- She analyzed the monogenist school of thought.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, theological, and biological discussions about human origins and race.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used as a precise term for a specific theory of origins in relevant fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monogenism”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monogenism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monogenism”
- Confusing 'monogenism' with 'monogenesis' (a broader term for single origin in any context) or 'monogeny'.
- Misspelling as 'monogenecism'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialised term used almost exclusively in academic historical discussions about anthropology and race.
Its primary field is the history of anthropology and the history of scientific/religious ideas about human origins and race.
Not exactly. While modern 'Out of Africa' theory posits a single recent origin for *Homo sapiens*, 'monogenism' is a historical term loaded with 19th-century debates about race and often had a theological basis. The concepts are analogous but from different eras and frameworks.
The adjective is 'monogenist' (e.g., a monogenist theory, a monogenist scholar).
The theory that humanity has a single origin, from a single ancestral pair.
Monogenism is usually academic / technical / historical in register.
Monogenism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒnəʊˈdʒɛnɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːnoʊˈdʒɛnɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MONO' (one) + 'GENESIS' (origin) = the theory of one origin.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FAMILY TREE (all humanity on one trunk vs. multiple separate trunks).
Practice
Quiz
Monogenism is primarily contrasted with which theory?