cenogamy

2 definitions found

cenogamy - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cenogamy \Ce*nog"a*my\ (s[-e]*n[o^]g"[.a]*m[y^]), n. [Gr.
     koino`s common + ga`mos marriage.]
     The state of a community which permits promiscuous sexual
     intercourse among its members, as in certain societies
     practicing communism.
     [1913 Webster]

  Coenogamy \C[oe]*nog"a*my\, n. [Gr. ?; koino`s common + ?
     marraige.]
     The state of a community which permits promiscuous sexual
     intercourse among its members; -- as in certain primitive
     tribes or communistic societies. [Written also cenogamy.]
     [1913 Webster]