An improper alliance, association, or union; esp. an unsuitable marriage. Cf. mésalliance, n. Also in extended use.

figurative and in extended use. Of a marriage: = morganatic, adj. 2. Also: designating either of the parties married in this way, or children from…

A union between two people that is thought to be unsuitable or inappropriate; esp. a marriage with a person of a lower social position. Also figur…

The marriage of a woman into a lower caste or into a tribe of lower standing than her own. Cf. hypergamy, n.