CONCUBINAGE


Meaning of CONCUBINAGE in English

n.

Cohabitation of a man and a woman without the full sanctions of legal marriage .

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the term concubine has been generally applied exclusively to women; Western studies of non-Western societies use it to refer to partners who are sanctioned by law but lack the status of full wives. See also common-law marriage ; harem ; polygamy .

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.