concubine
a woman who cohabits with a man to whom she is not legally married, especially one regarded as socially or sexually subservient; mistress.
(among polygamous peoples) a secondary wife, usually of inferior rank.
(especially formerly in Muslim societies) a woman residing in a harem and kept, as by a sultan, for sexual purposes.
Origin of concubine
1Words Nearby concubine
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use concubine in a sentence
She started as a concubine and transformed herself into one of the key political players of her time.
Reuben the oldest was told that he would not excel, because he had loved his father's concubine and committed a grievous sin.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume II | John LordMary, his Egyptian concubine, was endeared to him by the birth of Ibrahim.
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire | Edward GibbonHe was born of Hagar, who was a concubine; and they still indulge themselves in the use of mercenary wives and concubines.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I | Francis Augustus CoxJulius Capitolinus reproaches the Emperor Verus for cutting his beard at the instigation of a concubine.
The Book of Curiosities | I. Platts
The slave who is captured in war and carried away as a concubine appears only at a far later stage of culture.
Elements of Folk Psychology | Wilhelm Wundt
British Dictionary definitions for concubine
/ (ˈkɒŋkjʊˌbaɪn, ˈkɒn-) /
(in polygamous societies) a secondary wife, usually of lower social rank
a woman who cohabits with a man
Origin of concubine
1Derived forms of concubine
- concubinary (kɒŋˈkjʊbɪnərɪ), noun, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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