Bigamizing

/ˈbɪɡəmaɪzɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Present participle of bigamize; the act of committing bigamy.

Etymology

Present participle form of 'bigamize', formed by adding '-ing'. Describes the ongoing or habitual practice of marrying multiple people.

Kelly Says

The present participle form makes it sound like an active, ongoing crime—'he was caught bigamizing across three counties'—which is exactly how it appears in old legal accusations.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

The practice and its legal treatment reflected asymmetric gender power: men could more easily conceal or normalize plural partnerships; women had fewer legal remedies and social recourse.

Inclusive Usage

Use the present participle descriptively; contextualize gender power imbalances in the situation if relevant to meaning.

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