polyandrous
Americanadjective
-
of, pertaining to, characterized by, or practicing polyandry; polyandric.
-
Botany. having an indefinite number of stamens.
-
Relating to a species of animals in which the females mate with more than one male in a single breeding season.
-
Relating to an angiosperm plant that has an indefinite number of stamens in its flowers.
Etymology
Origin of polyandrous
First recorded in 1820–30, polyandrous is from the Greek word polyándros having many husbands. See poly-, -androus
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.
Males in polyandrous non-human species can ramp up sperm volume, count, and vitality in response to the presence of rivals.
From Salon ● Jun. 19, 2022
Three general mating systems, all involving innate as opposed to learned behaviors, are seen in animal populations: monogamous, polygynous, and polyandrous.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
And scientists suspect that, like their polyandrous cousins, female kalutas are capable of internally stockpiling sperm for up to two weeks before fertilization.
From New York Times ● Aug. 28, 2019
When I examined the wider literature I realized just how common polyandrous mating by females actually was across primates.
From Scientific American ● Mar. 16, 2012
Among polyandrous peoples the husbands are not all on the same footing of equality, some hold an inferior position, corresponding nearly to that of concubines, another sign of the tendency to monogamy.
From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Auguste Forel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
