bigamy

noun

big·​a·​my ˈbi-gə-mē How to pronounce bigamy (audio)
law : the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another
was accused of bigamy
bigamist noun

Examples of bigamy in a Sentence

He was accused of bigamy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Not of the bigamy, nor of baby Patricia, born on April 20, 1953, in Brooklyn, and baptized at St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge three months later. Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2024 Answer: Treason, murder, obstruction, theft, smuggling, piracy, mutiny, desertion, bigamy, dueling, accepting the land grant on the Ridge under false pretenses. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 July 2024 But with no-fault divorces, a couple could split amiably, without accusing or proving anything like bigamy or fraud or abandonment. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024 May 30: Future U.S. President Andrew Jackson shoots and kills American attorney Charles Dickinson in a duel after Dickinson accused Jackson's wife of bigamy. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bigamy 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bigamie, from Medieval Latin bigamia, from Latin bi- + Late Latin -gamia -gamy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bigamy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bigamy

Cite this Entry

“Bigamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bigamy. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bigamy

noun
big·​a·​my ˈbig-ə-mē How to pronounce bigamy (audio)
: the act of marrying one person while still legally married to another
bigamist noun
bigamous
-məs
adjective
bigamously adverb
Etymology

Middle English bigamie "bigamy," derived from Latin bi- "two" and Greek gamia "marriage"

Legal Definition

bigamy

noun
big·​a·​my ˈbi-gə-mē How to pronounce bigamy (audio)
: the crime of marrying someone while still legally married to someone else compare polygamy
bigamist noun
Etymology

Medieval Latin bigamia, ultimately from Latin bi- two + Greek gamos marriage

More from Merriam-Webster on bigamy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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