Bigamic

/baɪˈɡæmɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to, involving, or practicing bigamy; having been married twice or to two people simultaneously.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin 'bigamicus', derived from 'bigamus' (bigamist). The '-ic' suffix makes it an adjective form.

Kelly Says

Religious law used 'bigamic' technically to distinguish between someone who married twice sequentially (which was sometimes permitted) versus simultaneously (which was forbidden)—a crucial legal distinction in medieval Europe.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Bigamy historically enforced asymmetric legal consequences: men's plural marriages were regulated differently than women's, and family law applied marriage restrictions unequally by gender across jurisdictions.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'bigamic' descriptively for the practice itself, but note when discussing cases that gender shaped enforcement and social consequences.

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