| 释义 |
polygyny|pəˈlɪdʒɪnɪ|
[f. poly- + Gr. γυνή woman, wife; corresp. to a Gr. type *πολυγυνία, f. πολυ- many + γυνή woman, wife. So mod.F. polygynie.]
That form of polygamy in which one man has several wives at the same time; plurality of wives (or concubines). (Corresp. to polyandry.)
1780M. Madan Thelyphthora II. 91 There is not a nation under heaven, where polygyny is more openly practised, than in this Christian country. 1861Times 21 Aug. 10/2 It is doubtless this teaching that polygyny is a divine institution which has such an effect in repressing the rebellious instincts of the women. 1876H. Spencer Princ. Sociol. (1877) I. 646 Where wife-stealing is now practised, it is commonly associated with polygyny. 1892Nation (N.Y.) 24 Nov. 398/3 The license, not of polygamy but of polygyny, was completely established in the case of kings.
b. Zool. Of a male animal: The having more than one female mate. |