BIGAMY


Meaning of BIGAMY in English

-mē, -mi noun

( -es )

Etymology: Middle English bigamie, from Medieval Latin bigamia, from Latin bi- bi- (I) + Late Latin -gamia -gamy, from Greek, from gamos marriage + -ia -y; akin to Latin gener son-in-law, Sanskrit jāmi being a brother or sister, jāmī daughter-in-law

1. criminal law

a. : unlawful polygamy

b. : the statutory offense of entering into a ceremonial marriage with one person while still legally married to another

2. canon law : any of several offenses that disqualify one from holding ecclesiastical office or entering holy orders:

a. : the offense of marrying two persons successively whether the first spouse be dead or divorced or of marrying a widow — called also real bigamy

b. : the offense of marrying one already carnally known by another — called also interpretative bigamy

c. : the offense of one in holy orders or under a vow of continence in marrying anyone

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.