a. and sb. Biol. [f. Gr. εὐ- (see EU-) + root γεν- to produce + -IC.] (Gr. had εὐγενής well-born.) + -IC.]
A. adj. Pertaining or adapted to the production of fine offspring, esp. in the human race.
1883. F. Galton, Hum. Faculty, 24. Various topics more or less connected with that of the cultivation of race, or as we might call it, with ‘eugenic’ questions.
1886. G. Allen, in Fortn. Rev., 1 Oct., 458. The result … would be as bad … if he made the choice [of a wife] himself on abstract biological and ‘Eugenic’ principles.
B. sb. in pl. [after analogy of economics, politics, etc.] The science that has this for its object.
1883. F. Galton, Hum. Faculty, 44. The investigation of human eugenics, that is, of the conditions under which men of a high type are produced.
1890. Univ. Rev., May, 54. People will fall in love, in spite of your eugenics.
