The state or practice of living together as a couple without being married; cohabitation.
From Late Latin 'concubinatus,' derived from 'concubina' (concubine), combining 'con-' (with) and 'cubare' (to lie down). The suffix '-ancy' creates a noun describing a state or condition. The word evolved to describe the legal or social status of unmarried cohabitation.
This word reveals how language changed with society—'concubitancy' sounds formal and almost medical, but it was created to discuss living arrangements that were once seriously illegal or scandalous. Now we just say 'dating' or 'cohabiting'!
Legal/administrative term for concubine status. Embedded in ecclesiastical and civil codes to regulate informal unions while maintaining patrilineal property inheritance.
Use only in historical legal analysis. Prefer 'informal cohabitation' or 'common-law partnership' in modern contexts.
["informal cohabitation","common-law partnership","domestic union"]
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