polyandry
(ˈpɒlɪændrɪ)
[ad. Gr. πολυανδρία: see polyandria. So F. polyandrie.]
That form of polygamy in which one woman has two or more husbands at the same time; plurality of husbands. (Corresp. to polygyny.)
| 1780 M. Madan Thelyphthora (1781) I. 279 This surely affords a strong proof that polyandry (as it is called) is contrary to nature. 1816 Southey Lett. (1856) III. 18, I can account for the system of Polyandry, as he calls it, only in one way;..that it originated in necessity. 1885 Crodd Myths & Dr. i. vi. 104 The custom of female infanticide..rendering women scarce, led at once to polyandry. |
b. Zool. The fact of a female animal having more than one male mate.
| 1871 Darwin Desc. Man I. viii. 269 Three starlings not rarely frequent the same nest; but whether this is a case of polygamy or polyandry has not been ascertained. |