polygynous

[ puh-lij-uh-nuh s ]
/ pəˈlɪdʒ ə nəs /

adjective

of, pertaining to, characterized by, or practicing polygyny.
Botany. having many pistils or styles.

Origin of polygynous

First recorded in 1840–50; polygyn(y) + -ous

Words nearby polygynous

polygon, polygonaceous, polygonum, polygraph, polygynist, polygynous, polygyny, polygyria, polyhedral, polyhedral angle, polyhedron

Example sentences from the Web for polygynous

  • In the code of polygynous etiquette, the first wife takes precedence over the others, and each wife has her own cooking utensils.

    Castes and Tribes of Southern India |Edgar Thurston

  • Woman, on the other hand, cannot be said to be by her physical nature polyandrous as man is polygynous.

    Marriage In Free Society |Edward Carpenter