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Webster 1913 Edition

Polygamy

Po-lyg′a-my

,
Noun.
[Gr. [GREEK]; cf. F.
polygamie
.]
1.
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
.
2.
(Zool.)
The state or habit of having more than one mate.
3.
(Bot.)
The condition or state of a plant which bears both perfect and unisexual flowers.

Webster 1828 Edition

Polygamy

POLYG'AMY

,
Noun.
[Gr. many, and marriage.] A plurality of wives or husbands at the same time; or the having of such plurality. When a man has more wives than one, or a woman more husbands than one, at the same time, the offender is punishable for polygamy. Such is the fact in christian countries. But polygamy is allowed in some countries, as in Turkey.

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