concubine

American  

[kong-kyuh-bahyn, kon-] / ˈkɒŋ kyəˌbaɪn, ˈkɒn- /

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.

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concubine British  

/ ˈkɒn-, ˈkɒŋkjʊˌbaɪn, kɒŋˈkjʊbɪnərɪ /

noun

1. (in polygamous societies) a secondary wife, usually of lower social rank

2. a woman who cohabits with a man

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Other Word Forms

• concubinary
  noun

Etymology

Origin of concubine

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

Explanation

Throughout history, there have been instances when it was considered acceptable for an important man to keep a woman, not his wife, as a mistress. These women were called concubines, and they often were treated better than the man’s wife. The word concubine comes from the Latin verb, cubare, which means "to lie down." The word developed in Middle English in the 13th Century, and is another name for a woman taken as a mistress. The practice was common throughout history: the Bible includes many references to concubines, and in ancient China, a ruler might have had thousands of concubines, some treated well, some like prostitutes. Sad to say, the practice is still going on, acceptable in some countries today.

Example Sentences

Back in 1993, Farewell My Concubine - regarded as one of the great works of Chinese cinema - made it to the big screen.

From BBC • May 9, 2018

He first came to international attention with his portrayal of Cheng Dieyi, the androgynous Peking Opera star, for the film Farewell My Concubine, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1993.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2018

Jiajing, the awful emperor, refers in his mind to one of his supposedly top-ranked concubines as “wretched Concubine What’s Her Name.”

From New York Times • Aug. 16, 2015

At that moment a eunuch knelt beside the palanquin and invited the Imperial Concubine to proceed by boat.

From Salon • Nov. 22, 2010

And so, deeply reflecting, she caused the Chief of the Eunuchs to summon the Princess of Feminine Propriety, the White Jade Concubine and all the other exalted beauties of the Heavenly Palace.

From The ninth vibration and other stories by Beck, L. Adams (Lily Adams)

Related Words

• mistress