hetaerism

[ hi-teer-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. concubinage.
2. a social system in which the women are considered common property.

hetaerism

/ hɪˈtaɪrɪzəm; hɪˈtɪərɪzəm /

noun

1. the state of being a concubine
2. sociol anthropol a social system attributed to some primitive societies, in which women are communally shared

Derived Forms

• heˈtaerist, noun
• ˌhetaeˈristic, adjective

Other Words From

• he·taerist noun
• het·ae·ris·tic [het-, uh, -, ris, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hetaerism¹

First recorded in 1855–60; hetaer(a) + -ism

Example Sentences

By the side of the husband, who is making his life pleasant by hetaerism, stands the neglected wife.

From Project Gutenberg

In this case hetaerism is carried on less strenuously and adultery on the part of the woman is not so frequent.

From Project Gutenberg

Consequently the eternal companions of monogamy, hetaerism and adultery, play an almost insignificant role here.

From Project Gutenberg