Miscegenation (Latin miscere “to mix†+ genus “kindâ€) is the mixing of different ethnicities or races, especially in marriage, cohabitation, or sexual relations. Interracial marriage or interracial dating may be more common in contemporary usage. While the English word has a history of ethnocentrism, the Spanish, Portuguese and French words, mestizaje, miscigenação and métissage, connote a positive ethno-cultural melting-pot.