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Polyamorous

The core concept of polyamory is being involved in or open to multiple loving relationships, in a context of honesty and negotiation. The word roots are poly = multiple, and amor = love (specifically the sexual / romantic kind of love). Not in the roots but very important is the commitment to honesty with all partners, and openly negotiated ground rules.

Parrot

The parrot is a common poly "mascot" or symbol. Punning on "poly wanna X".

Poly

Typically a short hand for polyamory. Sometimes used as a catchall to avoid any need to distinguish between varieties of Polyamory.

Polyamory

The core concept of polyamory is being involved in or open to multiple loving relationships, in a context of honesty and negotiation. The word roots are poly = multiple, and amor = love (specifically the sexual / romantic kind of love). Not in the roots but very important is the commitment to honesty with all partners, and openly negotiated ground rules.

Polyandry

Anthropological term, Polyandry refers to a woman marrying more than one husband. The easy way to quickly recall the correct spelling and pronunciation of this term, polyandry, is by realizing that the "andry" (of "-andry") comes from the root-word, "andros" (or, anthros), which is the same root-word for "ANTHROpology", meaning the "study of man". Also, for further ease of recall, this word, "polyandry" does NOT include the "g" in its spelling, as opposed to polygamy and polygyny, which, of couse, are spelled a "g". While polygamy does technically also include polyandry in its definition, it is not commonly used this way. When most people use the more neutral term, "polygamy", they are usually only meaning polygyny. For Christian Polygamy, the definition in the Bible for "adultery" (as per the original language in which the Scriptures were written) is that of "woman that breaketh wedlock". That automatically makes it impossible for polyandry to be anything but adultery as defined by the Bible. Since that means that the Bible defines polyandry as adultery, Christian Polygamists do not (and are not able to) view it any other way either. Conversely, people who advocate or accept polyamorywould have no concern with polyandry whatsoever, as their beliefs come from a completely different paradigm and set of presuppositions. The easy way to quickly recall the correct spelling and pronunciation of this term, polygyny, is by realizing that the "gyn" (of "-gyny") comes from the same root-word as found in the name of medical fields which specifically specialize in womens health, "GYNocology" and "ob/GYN" (obstetrics/GYNocology). When most people use the more neutral term, "polygamy", they are usually only meaning this term here, i.e., polygyny.

Polyfidelity

A form of Polyamory involving a closed group marriage (or marriage-like relationship), in which all adult members are considered primary to each other. Coined in the late 70's by Kerista community, which also included the concept that all adults of compatible sexual orientations would be sexual with each other, an attribute sometime omitted by others identifying as Polyfidelious.

Polygamy

Anthropological term,  opposite-gendered marriage-mates. In a technical sense, polygamy is a neutral term which can refer to either polygyny (one man, many women) or polyandry (one woman, many men). (It never refers to polyamory or group marriage.) In a cultural sense, however, it is commonplace to refer to polygyny simply as polygamy, even when a persons own beliefs would not accept polyandry (such as Christian Polygamists who consider polyandry as Biblically defined adultery). In fact, few people are actually familiar with the technical term of "polygyny". Thus, "polygamy" has become a colloquial expression meaning "polygyny" exclusively. For these reasons, when most people refer to polygamy, they are most usually only referring to polygyny, a man with more than one wife. By definition, though, polygamy is only one of two things: polygyny or polyandry. In polygyny, the husband is identified as the polygamist, while his wives are not. The "gyny" part of the word, polygyny, refers exclusively to "women" in therefore defining the meaning that the polygamist husband is only married to women, females, wives. He is polygamous to them, while they are each individually monogamous to him. The wives are neither married to each other nor to anyone else. The same principle applies to polyandry. In this case, the wife is identified as the polygamist, while her husbands are not. The "andry" part of the word, polyandry, refers exclusively to "men" in therefore defining the meaning that the polygamist wife is only married to men, males, husbands. She is polygamous to them, while they are each individually monogamous to her. The husbands are neither married to each other nor to anyone else. This shows that polygyny refers to a polygamous husband with his wives who are monogamous toward him. In that same way, polyandry refers to a polygamous wife with her husbands who are monogamous toward her. Because polygamy can only be polygyny (one man, many women) or polyandry (one woman, many men), polygamy does not refer to or involve "same sex marriage," polyamory, or group marriage.

Polygyny

Anthropological term, Polygyny refers to a man marrying more than one wife. The easy way to quickly recall the correct spelling and pronunciation of this term, polygyny, is by realizing that the "gyn" (of "-gyny") comes from the same root-word as found in the name of medical fields which specifically specialize in womens health, "GYNocology" and "ob/GYN" (obstetrics/GYNocology). When most people use the more neutral term, "polygamy", they are usually only meaning this term here, i.e., polygyny.

Primary

These terms are very widespread, very important, and yet also very controversial. Some people try to avoid them entirely, for philosophical reasons. Others use the terms, but not always in quite the same way. There are two major usages. In the more common, a "primary" relationship is marriage like; it typically involves living together, often involves sharing finances or child raising. Life decisions are often made jointly, eg: where to live; jobs or careers to take, build or depart; bearing or adopting children. (See also "Nesting" relationships). Any of these may or may not exist in a given relationship considered primary by those involved. A secondary relationship is one generally not involving these things. Typically it involves living separately, having separate finances, and acting more as a (perhaps very close) friend than as a full partner in major life decisions. In this usage, one could have zero, one, or multiple "primary" relationships, and zero or more secondary relationships. Some people have only secondary relationships by choice or circumstances; some have more than one primary. This usage is a description of the kind of interweaving of lives involved in a particular pairing. It does not necessarily reflect the relative depth of love or understanding.

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