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definitions

polygynous

[ puh-lij-uh-nuh s ]
/ pəˈlɪdʒ ə nəs /
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adjective

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

Nearby words

  1. polygon,
  2. polygonaceous,
  3. polygonum,
  4. polygraph,
  5. polygynist,
  6. polygyny,
  7. polygyria,
  8. polyhedral,
  9. polyhedral angle,
  10. polyhedron

Origin of polygynous

First recorded in 1840–50; polygyn(y) + -ous
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples 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