| polygamy | 1. The having of a plurality of wives or husbands at the same time; usually, the marriage of a man to more than one woman, or the practice of having several wives, at the same time; opposed to monogamy; as, the nations of the East practiced polygamy. See the Note under Bigamy, and cf. Polyandry. 2. <zoology> The state or habit of having more than one mate. 3. <botany> The condition or state of a plant which bears both perfect and unisexual flowers. Origin: Gr.; cf. F. Polygamie. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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