polygamy
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. (Science: zoology) The state or habit of having more than one mate.
3. (Science: botany) The condition or state of a plant which bears both perfect and unisexual flowers.
Origin: Gr.; cf. F. Polygamie.
Dictionary > Polygamy
