/peuh lij"euh nee/ , n.
1. the practice or condition of having more than one wife at one time.
2. (among male animals) the habit or system of having two or more mates, either simultaneously or successively.
3. (among social insects) the condition of having two or more functioning queens in a colony.
4. Bot. the state or condition of having many pistils or styles. Cf. monogyny .
[ 1770-80; polygýn ( aios ) having many wives (see POLY-, GYN-) + -Y 3 ]