adelphogamy
|a-del-pho-ga-my|
C2
/əˈdɛlfəˌɡeɪmi/
brother marriage
Etymology
Etymology Information
'adelphogamy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'adelphos,' meaning 'brother,' and 'gamos,' meaning 'marriage.'
Historical Evolution
'adelphos' and 'gamos' combined in Greek to form 'adelphogamy,' which was adopted into English with the same meaning.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'brother marriage,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a form of marriage in which brothers share a wife or wives.
In some ancient cultures, adelphogamy was practiced to keep property within the family.
Last updated: 2025/05/05 09:51