monogamic
Americanadjective
Usage
What does monogamic mean? Monogamic is a less common word for monogamous—having only one spouse, one sexual partner, or (in the case of animals) one mate. Monogamic is used to describe people and animals that practice monogamy or to describe their relationships or practices. The word monogamy most technically refers to the state or practice of being married to only one person at a time. It is also commonly used in a more general way to refer to the state of being in a romantic or sexual relationship with only one person at a time. Less commonly, monogamy can mean the practice of being married only once throughout one’s life. In the study of animals, monogamy refers to the practice of having only one mate. A monogamic person can be called a monogamist. The term can also be applied to a person who advocates for monogamy. Example: Monogamy may be traditional in our modern society, but monogamic relationships haven’t always been the norm in every culture.
Etymology
Origin of monogamic
First recorded in 1830–40; monogam(y) + -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Luther, though free from the lasciviousness of the old priesthood, was not monogamic in principle.
From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I by Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Here, again, the monogamic family is the social interest at stake.
From Euthenics, the science of controllable environment a plea for better living conditions as a first step toward higher human efficiency by Ellen H. Richards
What would that be likely to mean in respect to the monogamic family?
From The Family and it's Members by Anna Garlin Spencer
An animal belonging to a species habitually monogamic may easily change under the pressure of external causes and adopt polygamy, and, in some cases, polyandry.
From The Truth About Woman by C. Gasquoine (Catherine Gasquoine) Hartley
And the monogamic family, so far from being a divinely instituted "union of souls," is seen to be the product of a series of material and, in the last analysis, of the most sordid motives.
From The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State by Friedrich Engels
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