polyandry

[pol-ee-an-dree, pol-ee-an-] /ˈpɒl iˌæn dri, ˌpɒl iˈæn-/
noun
1.
the practice or condition of having more than one husband at one time.
Compare monandry (def 1).
2.
(among female animals) the habit or system of having two or more mates, either simultaneously or successively.
3.
Botany. the state of being polyandrous.
Origin
1770-80; < Greek polyandría. See poly-, -andry
Can be confused
bigamy, polyandry, polygamy, polygyny.
Examples from the web for polyandry
  • Why should the state care about polygamy or polyandry.
  • polyandry is largely confined to fish and birds, especially waders and shorebirds.
  • These religious groups practice polygyny, not polyandry.
  • The term polygamy covers polygyny, polyandry as well as group marriage.
  • The results from this study suggest the evolutionary practice of polyandry in honeybees is intimately linked to colony fitness.
  • Although monogamy was the norm, marriage variants such as sororal polygamy and polyandry were present.
British Dictionary definitions for polyandry

polyandry

/ˈpɒlɪˌændrɪ/
noun
1.
the practice or condition of being married to more than one husband at the same time Compare polygamy
2.
the practice in animals of a female mating with more than one male during one breeding season
3.
the condition in flowers of having a large indefinite number of stamens
See polygyny
Derived Forms
polyandrous, adjective
Word Origin
C18: from Greek poluandria, from poly- + -andria from anēr man
Word Origin and History for polyandry
n.

1767, nativized form of polyandria. Related: Polyandrist.

polyandry in Culture
polyandry [(pol-ee-an-dree)]

A practice in which women have two or more husbands at the same time. A rare form of polygamy, polyandry is practiced by only a few cultures. (Compare monogamy.)