English Lexicon

Ethnic Segregation

/ˈɛθ.nɪk ˌsɛɡ.rɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The enforced separation of different racial or ethnic groups within a society.

    "In many cities, ethnic segregation has led to significant disparities in education and employment opportunities."
  2. 2

    A social system that maintains distinct cultural identities by separating groups based on ethnicity.

    "The policy of ethnic segregation was evident in the housing developments that catered exclusively to one racial group."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'ethnic' derives from the Greek 'ethnos', meaning 'nation' or 'people', while 'segregation' comes from the Latin 'segregare', meaning 'to separate'. The concept has evolved over time, particularly in the context of social justice and civil rights movements in the 20th century, highlighting the systemic separation of different ethnic groups.

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