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Polygyny - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Polygyny is a form of marriage in which a man has multiple wives simultaneously. It is practiced in some cultures and differs from polyandry, where a woman has multiple husbands.

polygyny

/pəˈlɪdʒəni/ /pɒˈlɪdʒɪni/

Definition:

A mating system where a male has multiple female partners simultaneously.

Synonyms:

polyandry, bigamy, plural marriage

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

monogamy, polyandry

Common Collocations:

polygynous marriage, polygynous society, practice polygyny

Derivatives:

polygynous, polygynist

Usage Tips:

Use "polygyny" to describe animal mating systems or human cultural practices involving one male and multiple females.

Common Phrases:

"polygynous union, " "polygynous household, " "practice of polygyny"

Etymology:

From Greek "poly-" (many) + "gynē" (woman), meaning "many women."

Examples:

  • 1. Polygyny is common in some animal species like lions and gorillas.
  • 2. Some cultures historically practiced polygyny for social and economic reasons.
  • 3. Polygyny differs from polyandry, where one female has multiple male partners.
  • 4. Anthropologists study how polygyny affects family structures in certain societies.

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