View synonyms for polygamy

polygamy

[ puh-lig-uh-mee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the practice or condition of having more than one spouse, especially wife, at one time. Compare bigamy ( def 1 ), monogamy ( def 1 ).
Zoology. the habit or system of mating with more than one individual, either simultaneously or successively.

polygamy

/ pəˈlɪɡəmɪ /

the practice of having more than one wife or husband at the same time Compare polyandry polygyny
1. the condition of having male, female, and hermaphrodite flowers on the same plant
2. the condition of having these different types of flower on separate plants of the same species
the practice in male animals of having more than one mate during one breeding season

polygamy

The practice of having several wives or husbands at the same time. ( Compare monogamy .)

From the Greek word polygamía, dating back to 1585–95. See poly-, -gamy

C16: via French from Greek polugamia from poly- + -gamy

If anything, what polygamy does flow from is a general opening up of options.

This conversation often bleeds easily into a “the more the merrier” logic followed by some joke about polygamy.

And contrary to popular belief, polygamy was not an exclusively Mormon concept.

Polygamy is acceptable, especially because it is only the men who are Gods.

So put it the other way: there are no laws explicitly prohibiting polygamy.

Polygamy is simply a matter of wealth and arrangement, and women are purchased and treated like slaves.

Polygamy has been established among the Tartars of every age.

What can be said to the practices of polygamy and concubinage, which prevailed even in these golden times and in pious families?

Polygamy is retained at this day among the Turks, and throughout every part of Asia in which Christianity is not professed.

If we cannot justify monogamy by the facts of life, we shall declare ourselves for polygamy.

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