monandry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low Frequency / Specialized TermFormal, Academic (Anthropology, Botany, Sociology)
Quick answer
What does “monandry” mean?
The state or practice of having only one male sexual partner or husband at a time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or practice of having only one male sexual partner or husband at a time.
In botany, the condition of having a single stamen or anther in a flower. In cultural anthropology, the social system where a woman is married to only one man at a time, as opposed to polyandry.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage difference in meaning or formality.
Connotations
Slight academic connotation in both; may be perceived as more anthropological in the US and more botanical in the UK due to differing academic traditions.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse in both regions. Slightly higher frequency in UK botanical texts and US anthropological texts, but overall usage is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “monandry” in a Sentence
Monandry is practised in [society/region].The flower exhibits monandry.A shift from polyandry to monandry occurred.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monandry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The species does not monandrise; it is typically polyandrous.
American English
- No standard verb form is in common use.
adjective
British English
- The monandrous society had strict rules against plural marriage.
American English
- The flower is monandrous, possessing just one stamen.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in anthropology to describe marital systems, in botany to describe floral morphology, and in feminist/gender studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used in very educated discussions about marriage systems.
Technical
Core term in specific anthropological and botanical literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monandry”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monandry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monandry”
- Using 'monogamy' and 'monandry' interchangeably. 'Monogamy' refers to a partnership between two individuals, while 'monandry' specifies the woman's practice of having one husband. Spelling mistake: 'monandery' or 'monandrey'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Monogamy refers to the practice of having only one spouse or sexual partner at a time, applicable to both men and women. Monandry is more specific, referring to the practice of a woman having only one husband (the female side of monogamy).
As a social system, it is the legally and culturally prescribed norm in most contemporary Western and many other societies. As a technical term, its usage is rare outside of academic discourse.
Yes, in botany, a monandrous flower has a single stamen or anther.
The direct male equivalent is 'monogyny' (the practice of having only one wife at a time), though it is an even rarer term. 'Monogamy' is the commonly used umbrella term for both.
The state or practice of having only one male sexual partner or husband at a time.
Monandry is usually formal, academic (anthropology, botany, sociology) in register.
Monandry: in British English it is pronounced /mɒˈnændri/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈnændri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MONO (one) + ANDR (man, male) + Y (state/condition) = the state of having one man.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXCLUSIVITY AS SINGULARITY (Having one partner is conceptualized as a single, undivided unit).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'monandry' a technical term?