English Explanatory Dictionary

polygamy

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The condition of having more than one spouse or marriage partner at one time.
  2. Synonym of polygyny (“marriage of a man to more than one wife, the practice of having several wives at the same time”).
  3. The state or habit of having more than one sexual mate.
  4. The condition or state of a plant which bears both perfect and unisexual flowers.

Pronunciation

/pəˈlɪɡ.ə.mi/ en-us-polygamy.ogg

Word forms

polygamy polygamies

Etymology

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.

Synonyms

polygyny

Antonyms

agamy monogamy serial monogamy

Related words

concubine harem seraglio

Derived words

antipolygamy polygamic polygamical polygamious polygamist polygamize polygamous serial polygamy
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