† ˈbigam(e, a. and n. Obs.
Also 5–6 bygame.
[a. OF. bigame, ad. med.L. bigamus, f. bi- two, twice + Gr. -γαµος married.]
Having at the same time two wives or husbands. n. A man or woman so married. In Eccl. Law applied also to one who marries a second time.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 1528 Lamech..was þe first o liue Þat bigam was wit dubul vijfe. a 1460 Pecock in Lewis Life 286 (T.) St. Paul's ordaining that a bigam should not be a deacon. 1491 Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W.) i. cxvii. 140 a/1 In the sayd cite was a man bygame. 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W.) iv. xxi (1506) 234 If he were..excommunycate, bygame, illegittime. |