Definition

1. Noun:
   • A man who has two or more wives simultaneously: A polygynist is a man who practices polygyny, a form of marriage in which a man is married to more than one woman at the same time.

Usage

• The term "polygynist" is used to specifically describe a man in a polygynous marriage structure. It is a formal or anthropological term.
• It is important to distinguish this term from "polygamist," which is a gender-neutral term for a person with multiple spouses. "Polygynist" specifies the male gender and the practice of having multiple wives.

Examples

• In some cultures, a wealthy elder might be a polygynist, with several wives managing different households.
• The historical figure was known to be a polygynist, a fact documented in several family records.
• Anthropologists studied the community where it was common for a man to be a polygynist.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in sociological, anthropological, and religious studies contexts to describe marital practices without judgment.
• It can appear in historical texts describing figures from eras or cultures where polygyny was legally or customarily accepted.

Variants and Related Words

• Polygyny (n): The practice or condition of having more than one wife at the same time.
  • Polygyny is one form of polygamous marriage.
• Polygamous (adj): Relating to or practicing polygamy.
• Polygamist (n): A person who has more than one spouse at a time (can be male or female).

Synonyms

• Practitioner of polygyny: A more descriptive synonym.
• (Note: "Bigamist" is not a direct synonym, as it specifically refers to a person married to two spouses simultaneously, often illegally.)

Antonyms

• Monogamist (n): A person who has only one spouse at a time.

Noun

1. a man with two or more wives