Leviratical is a seldom-used adjective that describes something related to the custom of levirate marriage, where a man is required to marry his brother's widow. The word is spelled "ləˌvɪrəˈtɪkəl" in IPA transcription, with stress on the second syllable. The "l-ə" at the beginning is a schwa sound, the "vɪ" is pronounced "vi" and the "r" sound is rolled. The ending "-ical" is pronounced "ih-kul". Despite its rarity, leviratical is a useful term for discussing traditional cultural marriage practices.
Leviratical is an adjective that refers to the custom or practice of a man marrying the widow of his deceased brother. Derived from the Latin word "levir," meaning brother-in-law, leviratical is most commonly associated with biblical or traditional social contexts where this type of marriage was recognized or enforced. This term is often used in discussions related to ancient cultural practices, religious texts, or anthropological studies.
Historically, leviratical marriage was prevalent in societies where family ties and lineage were highly valued, and where it was important for a man to provide for his brother's widow, ensuring her protection and financial security. The purpose of this practice was to preserve the deceased brother's name, property, and lineage by providing him with an heir through the union with his widow.
In contemporary usage, the term leviratical may refer to the wider concept of marital practices that involve the inheritance of a brother's wife or the continuation of a family line. It is often employed in comparative discussions of different cultural practices and may be used to describe similar customs among certain tribes or communities.
While not a widely used term in everyday conversation, leviratical remains relevant in academic circles, providing a specific vocabulary to discuss unique cultural conventions and the complexities of historical and societal norms surrounding marriage and inheritance practices.
The word "Leviratical" is derived from the Latin word "levir", which means "a husband's brother". The suffix "-atical" is commonly used to form adjectives, indicating a connection or relationship with the base word. In this case, "Leviratical" describes something related to or resembling the practice of levirate marriage, which is a custom wherein a man marries the widow of his deceased brother.