Concubinage: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’‘
Add to dictionary

concubinage

 

[ kษ™nหˆkjuหbษชnษชdส’ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal status

Concubinage refers to a marital arrangement in which a man and a woman live together in a long-term relationship that resembles marriage but is not formally recognized as such. This arrangement is typically characterized by the presence of a sexual relationship, often without the legal connotations of marriage. In many historical contexts, concubinage has been used as a means for a man to have multiple partners while still maintaining a primary, legally recognized wife. The status of concubines has varied widely across cultures, with some societies granting them rights and others treating them as property. Today's view of concubinage may differ significantly from its historical precedents, often being associated with issues related to gender equality and human rights.

Synonyms

cohabitation, mistress, secondary union.

Examples of usage

  • The concept of concubinage was prevalent in ancient cultures.
  • Concubinage is often viewed differently in contemporary society.
  • In some regions, concubinage is still practiced legally.
  • Concubinage can lead to complex family dynamics.

Translations

Translations of the word "concubinage" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น concubinato

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเค‚เคฎเฅเค–เคคเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Konkubinat

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pernikahan tidak resmi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะพะฝะบัƒะฑั–ะฝะฐั‚

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ konkubinat

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆ„›ไบบ้–ขไฟ‚

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท concubinage

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ concubinato

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท concubinaj

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‚ด์—ฐ ๊ด€๊ณ„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนู„ุงู‚ุฉ ุบูŠุฑ ุฑุณู…ูŠุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ konkubinรกt

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ konkubinรกt

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฆพ็”Ÿๅ…ณ็ณป

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ konkubinat

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sambรบรฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะพะฝะบัƒะฑะธะฝะฐั‚

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒœแƒ™แƒฃแƒ‘แƒ˜แƒœแƒแƒขแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ konkubinat

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ concubinato

Etymology

The term 'concubinage' originates from the Latin word 'concubina,' which derives from 'con-' meaning 'with' and 'cubare' meaning 'to lie down.' The practice of concubinage has existed throughout history across many cultures, where it often served as a solution to social and economic issues, such as the need for heirs in societies that valued male lineage. In ancient Rome, concubines held a recognized but inferior status compared to legal wives. They were often treated as secondary partners who could bear children and contribute to the family, yet lacked the legal protections and social standing of a wife. In certain cultures, such as in parts of Africa and Asia, concubinage was formally accepted as a custom and legally sanctioned. Over time, as ideas of marriage evolved to promote equality and individual rights, concubinage has faced scrutiny and declined in many parts of the world. Today, it raises important discussions about relationships, legality, and moral considerations associated with living arrangements that do not conform to traditional marriage.