polygynous

Having several wives

Polygynous describes a marriage arrangement in which a man has multiple wives simultaneously.

The term applies to social systems, species, or individuals practicing this form of polygamy: polygynous societies, polygynous mating behavior in birds.

Distinguished from polyandrous, where a woman has multiple husbands.

marriage

co-wives

Fellow spouses in polygyny

sister-wivesWomen sharing one husband
haremWives' sequestered quarters
bride-pricePayment for marriage rights

dowry · matchmaking · household · seniority · concubines · polygamy · wedding · betrothal · marital · nuptial

anthropological

co-wives

Fellow spouses in polygyny

haremWives' sequestered quarters
bride-pricePayment for marriage rights
kinshipState of being related

lineage · clan · patrilineal · matrilineal · inheritance · heir · descendants · ancestry · endogamy · exogamy

zoological

harem

Wives' sequestered quarters

breedingReproductive cultivation of organisms
territoryLand under jurisdiction
gorillasLargest living primates

lions · promiscuity · monogamous

sociocultural

patriarchy

Male-dominated social order

statusOne's relative position
wealthAbundance of valuable resources
powerEnergy transfer rate

stratification · customs · traditions · chiefdoms · elite · prestige · taboo · ethics · morality · conservatism

Opposites

number of spouses/mates

polygynousmonogamous

Mated to one only

celibate · unmarried

gender configuration in plural marriage

polygynouspolyandrous

Having multiple husbands

Family

poly, polygyny

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