24 November 2016
polygyny
[puh-lij-uh-nee]
noun
1. the practice or condition of having more than one wife at one time.
2. (among male animals) the habit or system of having two or more mates, either simultaneously or successively.
3. (among social insects) the condition of having two or more functioning queens in a colony.
4. Botany. the state or condition of having many pistils or styles.
Compare monogyny.
Origin of polygyny
Greek
1770-1780; < Greek polygýn (aios) having many wives (see poly-, gyn- ) + -y3
Can be confused
bigamy, polyandry, polygamy, polygyny.
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for polygyny
Historical Examples
Thus, from whatever angle we view group-marriage, its polygyny and its polyandry seem to rest on monogamy.
Elements of Folk Psychology
Wilhelm Wundt
That polygyny is better than polyandry may be concluded from its effects.
The World’s Greatest Books–Volume 14–Philosophy and Economics
Various
But polygyny would condemn a great many men, and polyandry a great many women, to the celibacy of neglect.
Getting Married
George Bernard Shaw
It is obviously nothing but a combination of polyandry and polygyny.
Elements of Folk Psychology
Wilhelm Wundt
One agency that is particularly apt to bring about such a form of marriage, transitional between monogamy and polygyny, is war.
Elements of Folk Psychology
Wilhelm Wundt
Among them, polygyny, together with other practices, has been introduced.
Elements of Folk Psychology
Wilhelm Wundt
Apart from this the biological masculine traditions point to polygyny much more than the feminine traditions point to polyandry.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 6 (of 6)
Havelock Ellis
This polygyny, in turn, also finally recedes in favour of monogamy.
Elements of Folk Psychology
Wilhelm Wundt
These deviations we found to be the two forms of polygamy—polyandry and polygyny.
Elements of Folk Psychology
Wilhelm Wundt
polygyny is the rule and each wife is regarded as adding dignity to the household.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 6
Various
Today’s quote
The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them… Whether you find satisfaction in life depends not on your tale of years, but on your will.
– Michel de Montaigne
On this day
24 November 1806 – birth of William Webb Ellis, Anglican clergyman who is credited for creating Rugby Union after allegedly picking up the ball during a soccer match and running with it, while a student at Rugby School. Died 24 February 1872.
24 November 1859 – Charles Darwin publishes his iconic work, The Origin of Species, which has become the foundation of evolutionary biology.
24 November 1991 – death of Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara). British musician and vocalist. Lead singer of rock group, Queen. Born 5 September 1946.
24 November 1991 – death of Eric Carr (Paul Charles Caravello), drummer with Kiss. Born 12 July 1950.