polygamist
Noun: A person who practices polygamy; specifically, someone who is married to two or more spouses at the same time.
The word "polygamist" is a noun used to label an individual based on their marital practice. It is a formal and descriptive term, often used in sociological, anthropological, or religious discussions. It is neutral in tone but can carry negative connotations depending on the cultural or legal context.
- In some historical cultures, a wealthy polygamist might have had several wives.
- The anthropologist interviewed a polygamist from the community to understand the family structure.
- The law in that country prohibits anyone from being a polygamist.
- The term is often used in contrast to "monogamist" (a person married to one spouse at a time).
- While historically associated with men having multiple wives (polygyny), a polygamist can, in principle, be a person of any gender with multiple spouses, though specific terms like "polyandrist" (a woman with multiple husbands) are more precise for those contexts.
- Polygamy (n): The practice or condition of having more than one spouse simultaneously.
- Polygamous (adj): Characterized by or practicing polygamy. (e.g., a polygamous society).
- Polygyny (n): The practice of a man having more than one wife.
- Polyandry (n): The practice of a woman having more than one husband.
- Practitioner of polygamy (formal description)
The core meaning is strictly related to being married to multiple people concurrently. It does not refer to someone who has had multiple sequential marriages (which is serial monogamy) or to someone in a non-marital, committed relationship with multiple partners (which is often termed polyamory). The reference definition's phrase "two or more people" is accurate, as it encompasses both polygyny and polyandry.
- someone who is married to two or more people at the same time