polygamy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The condition of having more than one spouse or marriage partner at one time.

   Are there countries where polygamy is legal for both men and women?

2. 2
   noun

   Synonym of polygyny (“marriage of a man to more than one wife, the practice of having several wives at the same time”).

   Though Islam allows polygamy, it is frowned upon in many contemporary Muslim societies.

3. 3
   noun

   The state or habit of having more than one sexual mate.

   An insect queen actually practices polygamy only one day, while for an alpha-male defending his harem is the very essence of both his status and polygamy.

4. 4
   noun

   having more than one spouse at a time

Recorded since 1591, from Late Latin polygamia, from Ancient Greek πολυγαμία (polugamía), itself from πολύγαμος (polúgamos, “married to many”), from πολύς (polús, “many”) + γάμος (gámos, “marriage”). Relates to modern prefix and suffix poly- + -gamy.

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