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Polygamy: alternatives and connections

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Polygamy

The having of a plurality of wives or husbands at the same time; usually, the marriage of a man to more than one woman, or the practice of having several wives, at the same time; -- opposed to monogamy; as, the nations of the East practiced polygamy. See the Note under Bigamy, and cf. Polyandry.

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46 useful connections shown 10 reviewed relationships and 36 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

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Broader term 4

Marriage 76% connected

The act of marrying, or the state of being married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife; wedlock; matrimony.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Matrimony 76% connected

The union of man and woman as husband and wife; the nuptial state; marriage; wedlock.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Union 76% connected

The act of uniting or joining two or more things into one, or the state of being united or joined; junction; coalition; combination.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Wedlock 76% connected

The ceremony, or the state, of marriage; matrimony.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Narrower term 2

Polyandry 76% connected

The possession by a woman of more than one husband at the same time; -- contrasted with monandry.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

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Polygyny 76% connected

The state or practice of having several wives at the same time; marriage to several wives.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

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Derivationally related 4

Polygamist 74% connected

One who practices polygamy, or maintains its lawfulness.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Polygamist 74% connected

One who practices polygamy, or maintains its lawfulness.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Polygamous 74% connected

Of or pertaining to polygamy; characterized by, or involving, polygamy; having a plurality of wives; as, polygamous marriages; -- opposed to monogamo…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Polygamous 74% connected

Of or pertaining to polygamy; characterized by, or involving, polygamy; having a plurality of wives; as, polygamous marriages; -- opposed to monogamo…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Words from the same subject

These terms belong to the same specialist field or topic. They help you explore the subject, but they are not automatically synonyms.

Bigamy noun · 86% connection

the state of having two spouses at the same time

Used in the same subject area: Law, Sociology, Family and kinship, Family law.
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Cuckoldom noun · 86% connection

the state of a husband whose wife has committed adultery

Used in the same subject area: Law, Sociology, Family and kinship, Family law.
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Endogamy noun · 86% connection

marriage within one's own tribe or group as required by custom or law

Used in the same subject area: Law, Sociology, Family and kinship, Family law.
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Exogamy noun · 86% connection

marriage to a person belonging to a tribe or group other than your own as required by custom or law

Used in the same subject area: Law, Sociology, Family and kinship, Family law.
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Intermarriage noun · 86% connection

marriage to a person belonging to a tribe or group other than your own as required by custom or law

Used in the same subject area: Law, Sociology, Family and kinship, Family law.
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Mesalliance noun · 86% connection

a marriage with a person of inferior social status

Used in the same subject area: Law, Sociology, Family and kinship, Family law.
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Misalliance noun · 86% connection

an unsuitable alliance (especially with regard to marriage)

Used in the same subject area: Law, Sociology, Family and kinship, Family law.
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Monandry noun · 86% connection

the state of having only one husband at a time

Used in the same subject area: Law, Sociology, Family and kinship, Family law.
Definition Compare
Monogamy noun · 86% connection

the practice or state of having only one spouse at a time

Used in the same subject area: Law, Sociology, Family and kinship, Family law.
Definition Compare
Monogyny noun · 86% connection

having only one wife at a time

Used in the same subject area: Law, Sociology, Family and kinship, Family law.
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Property settlement noun · 78% connection

(matrimonial law) the division of property owned or acquired by marriage partners during their marriage

Used in the same subject area: Law, Family law.
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Alimony noun · 78% connection

court-ordered support paid by one spouse to another after they are separated

Used in the same subject area: Law, Family law.
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Child support noun · 78% connection

court-ordered support paid by one spouse to the other who has custody of the children after the parents are separated

Used in the same subject area: Law, Family law.
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Maintenance noun · 78% connection

court-ordered support paid by one spouse to another after they are separated

Used in the same subject area: Law, Family law.
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Affinity noun · 78% connection

a close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character; "found a natural affinity with the immigrant…

Used in the same subject area: Sociology, Family and kinship.
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Childhood noun · 78% connection

the state of a child between infancy and adolescence

Used in the same subject area: Sociology, Family and kinship.
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Family noun · 78% connection

a social unit living together; "he moved his family to Virginia"; "It was a good Christian household"; "I waited until the whole house…

Used in the same subject area: Sociology, Family and kinship.
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Family unit noun · 78% connection

primary social group; parents and children; "he wanted to have a good job before starting a family"

Used in the same subject area: Sociology, Family and kinship.
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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Barbaic adjective · 78% connection

Of, or from, barbarian nations; foreign; -- often with reference to barbarous nations of east.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
Definition Compare
Betroth verb · 78% connection

To contract to any one for a marriage; to engage or promise in order to marriage; to affiance; -- used esp. of a woman.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
Definition Compare
Bluebeard noun · 78% connection

The hero of a mediaeval French nursery legend, who, leaving home, enjoined his young wife not to open a certain room in his castle. Sh…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
Definition Compare
Chichevache noun · 78% connection

A fabulous cow of enormous size, whose food was patient wives, and which was therefore in very lean condition.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
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Collective adjective · 78% connection

Having plurality of origin or authority; as, in diplomacy, a note signed by the representatives of several governments is called a col…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
Definition Compare
Courting noun · 78% connection

a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage); "it was a brief and intense courts…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
Definition Compare
Courtship noun · 78% connection

a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage); "it was a brief and intense courts…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
Definition Compare
Dowry noun · 78% connection

The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage. See Note under Dower.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
Definition Compare
East adjective · 78% connection

Toward the rising sun; or toward the point where the sun rises when in the equinoctial; as, the east gate; the east border; the east s…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
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Federate adjective · 78% connection

United by compact, as sovereignties, states, or nations; joined in confederacy; leagued; confederate; as, federate nations.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
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Harem noun · 78% connection

The family of wives and concubines belonging to one man, in Mohammedan countries; a seraglio.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
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International adjective · 78% connection

Between or among nations; pertaining to the intercourse of nations; participated in by two or more nations; common to, or affecting, t…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
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Japhetic adjective · 78% connection

Pertaining to, or derived from, Japheth, one of the sons of Noah; as, Japhetic nations, the nations of Europe and Northern Asia; Japhe…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
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League of Nations noun · 78% connection

an international organization formed in 1920 to promote cooperation and peace among nations; although suggested by Woodrow Wilson, the…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
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Modern adjective · 78% connection

Of or pertaining to the present time, or time not long past; late; not ancient or remote in past time; of recent period; as, modern da…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: plurality, wives, husbands, time, marriage.
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