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.
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.