Bigamy vs. Polygamy

Bigamynoun

The state of having two (legal or illegal) spouses simultaneously

Bigamynoun

(ecclesiastical) A second marriage

Bigamynoun

The offense of marrying one person when already legally married to another.

Bigamynoun

having two spouses at the same time

Bigamynoun

the offense of marrying someone while you have a living spouse from whom no valid divorce has occurred

Bigamy

In cultures where monogamy is mandated, bigamy is the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another. A legal or de facto separation of the couple does not alter their marital status as married persons.

Polygamynoun

The condition of having more than one spouse or marriage partner at one time.

Polygamynoun

Specifically, polygyny, the marriage of a man to more than one wife, or the practice of having several wives, at the same time.

Polygamynoun

(zoology) The state or habit of having more than one sexual mate.

Polygamynoun

(botany) The condition or state of a plant which bears both perfect and unisexual flowers.

Polygamynoun

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.

Polygamynoun

The state or habit of having more than one mate.

Polygamynoun

The condition or state of a plant which bears both perfect and unisexual flowers.

Polygamynoun

having more than one spouse at a time

Polygamy

Polygamy (from Late Greek πολυγαμία, polygamía, ) is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, sociologists call this polygyny.