agunah

noun

agu·​nah

ˌä-gü-ˈnä,

ä-ˈgü-nə

plural -s

Jewish law

: a woman whose husband has deserted her or has disappeared and who may not remarry until she gives proof of his death or obtains a bill of divorce

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew ʽăghūnāh prevented, restrained (from remarrying)

First Known Use

circa 1901, in the meaning defined above

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