Definition

1. Noun:
   • The practice or condition of having only one wife at a time. This term specifically refers to the marital custom where a man is married to only one woman simultaneously. It is the counterpart to polygyny (having multiple wives).

Usage

• The word monogyny is a formal, anthropological, or sociological term. It is used in academic contexts to describe marital structures and customs.
• It is less common in everyday conversation than the related term monogamy, which refers more broadly to the practice of having only one spouse (either husband or wife) at a time.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The tribe's social structure was characterized by monogyny, in contrast to their neighbors who practiced polygyny.
  • Anthropologists studied the shift from polygyny to monogyny in the society over the last century.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural/Sociological Analysis: The term is used to categorize and compare marital systems across different cultures and historical periods.
  • The legal system's enforcement of monogyny has significant implications for inheritance and family law.

Variants and Related Words

• Monogamy (n): The practice or state of being married to one person at a time. This is a more general and commonly used term.
• Polygyny (n): The practice or custom of having more than one wife at the same time. This is the direct antonym of .
• Monogynous (adj): Pertaining to or practicing monogyny.
  • A monogynous marriage system.

Synonyms

• Single-wife marriage (descriptive phrase, not a single word).
• Monandry (n): Specifically, the practice of having only one husband at a time. While related, it is not a direct synonym for , which is wife-focused.

Notes on Meaning

• Monogyny vs. Monogamy: It is crucial to distinguish these terms. Monogyny is a subset of monogamy. Monogamy can refer to a marriage with one wife () or one husband (). In common usage, "monogamy" is often used where "monogyny" might be more precise.
• The term is almost exclusively used to describe a societal or customary practice, not an individual's personal choice within a society that allows polygyny.

Noun

1. having only one wife at a time