noun
- Plural of polygyny; the practice or condition of having more than one wife or female mate at the same time.
Usage: Anthropological and sociological term; Contrasts with monogamy and polyandry
Examples
- Anthropologists have documented various forms of polygynies across different cultures and historical periods.
- The study examined how polygynies functioned in pre-industrial societies.
- Legal systems in many countries prohibit polygynies in modern times.
- Historical records show that polygynies were practiced in certain royal families.
- The researcher compared monogamy and polygynies in her dissertation on marriage systems.