Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The fact or practice of being romantically or sexually involved with more than one person with the knowledge and consent of all parties.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun Any of various practices involving romantic or sexual
relationships with multiplepartners with the knowledge and consent of all involved.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The term polyamory is sometimes abbreviated to poly, and is sometimes described as consensual, ethical, or responsible non-monogamy.
New World Notes 2008
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It probably helps, too, that in polyamory you learn by necessity how to communicate: not only about the little things, but about the Big Things, like expectations, boundaries, emotions.
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It's got Martians, religion-bending concepts, and is practically a primer in polyamory and sexual freedom.
MIND MELD: Members of Book View Cafe Reveal Their Favorite Books 2009
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The word polyamory only last year joined the Merriam-Webster and Oxford English dictionaries.
Polyamory in the News William Harryman 2007
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I am not the poster child for responsible non-monogamy though I have been this way lol since before the word polyamory existed and my ethics and compassion are well respected among my peers.
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Some fall under the rubric of polyamory, which involves a couple sharing emotional and romantic attachment, as well as sexual, with more than one person.
NYT > Global Home By ALEX WILLIAMS 2012
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Contemporary practitioners of what is now Cultural learning can influence the called polyamory (multiple intimate situations that trigger jealousy and the relationships) for the most part treat manner in which jealousy is expressed. jealousy as an inevitable problem, best Attitudes toward jealousy can also change handled by accommodation and within a culture over time.
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While polyamory is about many other things as well (multiple romantic attachments, economies of abundance, triad or group dynamics, rethinking the role of relationships in structuring our lives), polyamory’s primary point of resistance to power is in its refusal to adhere to the cultural rules of sexual fidelity.
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In no way did I mean to imply that because Tai isn’t happy, ALL polyamory is unfulfilling, or not serious, or anything of that sort.
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They felt that I was saying or implying that polyamory is somehow not as serious as monogamy, or that polyamorous folks don’t enter into committed relationships, or something.
born2badored commented on the word polyamory
I don't know why, and It causes my such trouble. I wish people weren't so jealous and possessiveBokonon knows. to fall in wuv, such power over me/over you
December 6, 2006
whichbe commented on the word polyamory
It doesn't have to be that way, but it depends on a mature and wisened individual to deliver themselves into such a space. our culture is what makes it "trouble".
May 10, 2008
Silenus commented on the word polyamory
Polyamory is having multiple, long term, sexual, loving relationships that all the people involved know about and consent to. The original definition was coined by Morning Glory Zell because terms being used at the time, like "consensual adultery" and "responsible non-monogamy" were considered by many to be inadequate.
http://original.caw.org/articles/bouquet.html
June 8, 2009