polyandry

American  

[pol-ee-an-dree, pol-ee-an-] / ˈpɒl iˌæn dri, ˌpɒl iˈæn- /

noun

1. the practice or condition of having more than one husband at one time.

2. (among female animals) the habit or system of having two or more mates, either simultaneously or successively.

3. Botany. the state of being polyandrous.

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polyandry British  

/ ˈpɒlɪˌændrɪ /

noun

1. the practice or condition of being married to more than one husband at the same time Compare polygamy

2. the practice in animals of a female mating with more than one male during one breeding season

3. the condition in flowers of having a large indefinite number of stamens

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polyandry Cultural  

1. A practice in which women have two or more husbands at the same time. A rare form of polygamy, polyandry is practiced by only a few cultures. (Compare monogamy.)

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Other Word Forms

• polyandrous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of polyandry

From the Greek word polyandría, dating back to 1770–80. See poly-, -andry

Example Sentences

Some modern scholars consider Darwin's failure to recognize polyandry as the wrench jamming up the works of evolution to be one of his biggest oversights.

From Salon • Jun. 19, 2022

The term polyandry comes from the Greek words for ‘many’ and ‘man.’

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

While the tomb reveals evidence of polygyny - men having children with multiple women - it also shows that polyandry was also widespread: women having children with multiple men.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2021

The headline asked: “Is polyandry really a ridiculous idea?”

From Washington Post • Jun. 10, 2020

When sailors, merchants, missionaries, describe, as matters unprecedented and unheard of, such institutions as polyandry, totemism, and so forth, the evidence is so strong, because the witnesses are so astonished.

From Custom and Myth New Edition by Lang, Andrew