multiregionalismn.
/ˌmʌltɪˈriːdʒn̩əlɪz(ə)m/, /ˌmʌltɪˈriːdʒn̩l̩ɪz(ə)m/, /ˌmʌltɪˈriːdʒənl̩ɪz(ə)m/, /ˌmʌltɪˈriːdʒ(ə)nəlɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˌməltiˈridʒənlˌɪz(ə)m/, /ˌməltiˈridʒnəˌlɪz(ə)m/; see also multi- comb. form. 1. The fact of containing a number of distinct regions of differing character. rare.
ΚΠ
1960 Amer. Sociol. Rev. 25 353/2 Although the Australian state of Victoria is larger than any of the countries, it is so strongly focused on its capital, Melbourne, that the problem of multi-regionalism does not arise.
2. Physical Anthropology. The multiregional theory of human evolution.
ΚΠ
1990 New Scientist 17 Nov. 33/2 Proponents of multiregionalism argue that the fossil record of China shows clear indications of regional continuity from Homo erectus to modern populations.
1997 Nature 27 Mar. 350/1 The popular interpretation of multiregionalism is that races of Homo erectus in Africa, Asia and Europe gave rise to the modern human races living in those areas of the world.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1960