digamy
(ˈdɪgəmɪ)
[ad. L. digamia, a. Gr. διγαµία a marrying twice, f. δίγαµ-ος: see digamous and -y.]
1. Digamous condition or state; second marriage; re-marriage after the death of the first spouse.
| 1635 E. Pagitt Christianogr. App. 17 The ordinary Priests marry once, Digamy is forbidden them. 1672 Cave Prim. Chr. ii. v. (1673) 83 Three sorts of Digamy or Second Marriages. 1672–5 T. Comber Comp. Temple (1702) 220 Digamy, as well as Marrying after a Divorce while the former Wife lives, are forbid under the Gospel. 1755 Johnson, Digamy, second marriage; marriage to a second wife after the death of the first: as bigamy, having two wives at once. 1869 Lecky Europ. Mor. II. v. 346 Digamy, or second marriage, is described by Athanagoras as ‘a decent adultery’. |
† 2. = bigamy 1; having two wives at the same time. Obs.
| 1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 39 The Antick Romans, who..so hated Digamy (both in enjoying two wives at one time, and being twice married). 1761–66 Bailey, Digamy, a being married to two Wives at the same Time. |