polygynous

[ puh-lij-uh-nuhs ]
/ pəˈlɪdʒ ə nəs /

adjective

of, pertaining to, characterized by, or practicing polygyny.
Botany. having many pistils or styles.

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Origin of polygynous

First recorded in 1840–50; polygyn(y) + -ous

Words nearby polygynous

polygon, polygonaceous, polygonum, polygraph, polygynist, polygynous, polygyny, polygyria, polyhedral, polyhedral angle, polyhedron
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for polygynous

  • In the code of polygynous etiquette, the first wife takes precedence over the others, and each wife has her own cooking utensils.

    Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Edgar Thurston

  • Woman, on the other hand, cannot be said to be by her physical nature polyandrous as man is polygynous.

    Marriage In Free Society|Edward Carpenter