concubine

[ kong-kyuh-bahyn, kon- ]

noun

1. a woman who cohabits with a man to whom she is not legally married, especially one regarded as socially or sexually subservient; mistress.
2. (among polygamous peoples) a secondary wife, usually of inferior rank.
3. (especially formerly in Muslim societies) a woman residing in a harem and kept, as by a sultan, for sexual purposes.

concubine

/ ˈkɒn-; ˈkɒŋkjʊˌbaɪn; kɒŋˈkjʊbɪnərɪ /

noun

1. (in polygamous societies) a secondary wife, usually of lower social rank
2. a woman who cohabits with a man

Derived Forms

• concubinary, nounadjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of concubine¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin concubīna, equivalent to concub- (variant stem of concumbere “to lie together”; con-, incumbent ) + -īna, feminine suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of concubine¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin concubīna, from concumbere to lie together, from cubare to lie

Example Sentences

She started as a concubine and transformed herself into one of the key political players of her time.

From Ozy

Reuben the oldest was told that he would not excel, because he had loved his father's concubine and committed a grievous sin.

From Project Gutenberg

Mary, his Egyptian concubine, was endeared to him by the birth of Ibrahim.

From Project Gutenberg

He was born of Hagar, who was a concubine; and they still indulge themselves in the use of mercenary wives and concubines.

From Project Gutenberg

Julius Capitolinus reproaches the Emperor Verus for cutting his beard at the instigation of a concubine.

From Project Gutenberg

The slave who is captured in war and carried away as a concubine appears only at a far later stage of culture.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• mistress