English Explanatory Dictionary

contubernal

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Living in close proximity (as though sharing a tent); intimate, familiar.
  2. Of a relationship between a male and female slave: sexual in nature and somewhat similar to marriage, but not formalized due to the parties being legally unable to marry.

Word forms

contubernal contubernial

Etymology

From Latin contubernālis, from contubernium (“companionship in a tent”), from con- + taberna (“a hut, shed, tent”). More at tavern.

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