Concubine: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฉโโค๏ธโ๐โ๐จ
concubine
[หkษลkjสbaษชn ]
Definition
historical
A woman who lives with a man but has a lower status than his wife or wives, especially in a polygamous society.
Synonyms
courtesan, mistress, paramour.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| concubine |
In historical or cultural texts referring to a woman who lived with a man but had lower status than his wife or wives. It is often used in ancient or medieval settings.
|
| mistress |
Commonly used to describe a woman who is in a long-term sexual relationship with a married man. The term carries a negative connotation.
|
| paramour |
A formal or literary term describing a lover, often used in the context of an illicit or secret relationship. It is less commonly used in everyday speech.
|
| courtesan |
In historical contexts referring to a woman who was a higher-class prostitute or companion of noble or wealthy men, often well-educated and cultured.
|
Examples of usage
- She was considered a concubine rather than a wife.
- In some cultures, concubines were common practice.
- Concubines were often mistreated and had limited rights.
- The role of a concubine varied depending on the society.
- In ancient times, concubines were often seen as a symbol of status.
Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- In ancient societies, having a concubine was common and often seen as a status symbol, especially among rich men.
- The term originates from the Latin word 'concubina', meaning 'to lie together', signifying a form of sexual relationship without marriage.
Cultural Practices
- In many cultures, concubines had specific roles within the family structure, often bearing children to ensure the family line continued.
- Some cultures practiced polyandry, where a woman could have multiple husbands, similar to how some men had concubines.
Literature
- Concubines appear in many famous stories, such as in the Bible, where figures like King Solomon had multiple wives and concubines.
- In Chinese literature, the role of concubines is often explored, revealing their complex status and emotional lives.
Modern Context
- The term has evolved, and in modern contexts, it can carry negative connotations related to power dynamics and inequality.
- Current laws in many countries recognize only one legal marriage, leading to discussions about concubinage and rights.
Psychology
- Psychologists study the relationships involving concubines to understand emotional bonds and the dynamics in non-traditional relationships.
- Social acceptance of such relationships can influence personal identity and societal norms around family structures.
Translations
Translations of the word "concubine" in other languages:
๐ต๐น concubina
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคชเคชเคคเฅเคจเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Konkubine
๐ฎ๐ฉ selir
๐บ๐ฆ ะฝะฐะปะพะถะฝะธัั
๐ต๐ฑ konkubina
๐ฏ๐ต ๅดๅฎค (ใใใใค)
๐ซ๐ท concubine
๐ช๐ธ concubina
๐น๐ท cariye
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฒฉ (cheop)
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฌุงุฑูุฉ (jฤriya)
๐จ๐ฟ konkubรญna
๐ธ๐ฐ konkubรญna
๐จ๐ณ ๅฆพ (qiรจ)
๐ธ๐ฎ konkubina
๐ฎ๐ธ frilla
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะบำฉาฃัะปะดะตั
๐ฌ๐ช แฎแแ แญแ (kharcha)
๐ฆ๐ฟ kษniz
๐ฒ๐ฝ concubina
Word Frequency Rank
Positioned at #23,323, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.
- ...
- 23320 dozing
- 23321 gondola
- 23322 ague
- 23323 concubine
- 23324 dishonored
- 23325 unannounced
- 23326 scabbard
- ...