polyandry
UK: ˈpɒliændri | US: ˈpɑːliændri
n. a form of marriage in which a woman has more than one husband at the same time
n. (botany) the condition of having many stamens in a flower
The word polyandry combines the Greek prefix poly- (meaning "many") with the root -andry (derived from anēr, meaning "man" or "husband"). It directly translates to "many husbands," reflecting its anthropological and botanical uses. The term emerged in the 19th century to describe marital systems in certain cultures, as well as floral structures in plants.
Polyandry is practiced in some Himalayan communities to manage limited land resources.
The botanist noted the polyandry in the flower, which had over twenty stamens.
Anthropologists study polyandry to understand its social and economic implications.
In Tibetan culture, polyandry often involves brothers sharing a single wife.
The lecture compared polygyny and polyandry as alternative marriage systems.