/big"euh mee/ , n. , pl. bigamies .
1. Law. the crime of marrying while one has a wife or husband still living, from whom no valid divorce has been effected.
2. Eccles. any violation of canon law concerning marital status that would disqualify a person from receiving holy orders or from retaining or surpassing an ecclesiastical rank.
[ 1200-50; ME bigamie bigamia (LL bigam ( us ) BIGAMOUS + L -ia -Y 3 ) ]