concubinage

noun

con·​cu·​bi·​nage kän-ˈkyü-bə-nij How to pronounce concubinage (audio)
kən-
1
: cohabitation of persons not legally married
2
: the state of being a concubine

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of concubinage was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near concubinage

Cite this Entry

“Concubinage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concubinage. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

concubinage

noun
con·​cu·​bi·​nage kän-ˈkyü-bə-nij How to pronounce concubinage (audio)
: the relationship between persons who are cohabiting without the benefit of marriage
used especially in the civil law of Louisiana
compare common-law marriage

Note: Under Louisiana law, concubinage does not give rise to any rights in the parties to each other's property.

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