The word Polyandrian, meaning a woman with multiple husbands, has a unique spelling that may be tricky to pronounce. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /poliˈændriən/. The first syllable "poli" is pronounced with a long "o" sound followed by a "li" sound. The second syllable "and" is pronounced with an "an" sound followed by a "d" sound. The final syllable "rian" is pronounced with a long "i" sound followed by an "an" sound. Therefore, the correct pronunciation of Polyandrian is "pah-lee-an-dree-an".
Polyandrian is an adjective that refers to a social or cultural practice involving the marriage of a woman to multiple husbands simultaneously. This term is derived from combining the Greek word "poly," meaning many, with "andros," meaning man.
In societies where polyandry is practiced, a woman is allowed to have multiple husbands at the same time. This practice is relatively rare compared to its counterpart, polygyny, which involves a man having multiple wives. Polyandry can be found in a few isolated cultures around the world, including certain regions in Tibet, parts of India, and among some tribes in the Amazon rainforest.
Polyandrian unions can take various forms. In some cases, the multiple husbands may be brothers, sharing the responsibility of providing for the wife and any resulting children. This arrangement can help ensure the economic stability and well-being of the family, as resources can be pooled and shared more effectively. In other instances, the husbands may only spend specific periods of time with the wife before rotating or sharing her. This type of polyandry can foster a sense of communal responsibility and cooperation within the group.
It is important to note that polyandrian practices vary greatly across different societies and may serve different social, economic, or cultural purposes. As with any form of marriage or relationship, the dynamics and customs associated with polyandry may differ significantly based on cultural and historical context.
Having many stamens, or any number above twenty; belonging to the class polyandria.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "polyandrian" is derived from a combination of two roots: "poly" and "andros".
The prefix "poly" comes from the ancient Greek word "polus", meaning "many" or "multiple". This prefix is commonly used in English to indicate the idea of multiple or many. For example, "polygamy" refers to having multiple spouses, and "polygon" refers to a shape with multiple sides.
The root "andros" is derived from the Greek word "anēr" or "andros", which means "man" or "male". It is related to the Greek god "Andros", the god of manhood and masculinity. It is often used in English to refer to concepts related to men or maleness, such as "androgynous" (having both masculine and feminine qualities) or "andrology" (the study of male health and diseases).