concubine

[ kong-kyuh-bahyn, kon- ]

noun

1. a woman who cohabits with a man to whom she is not legally married, especially one regarded as socially or sexually subservient; mistress.
2. (among polygamous peoples) a secondary wife, usually of inferior rank.
3. (especially formerly in Muslim societies) a woman residing in a harem and kept, as by a sultan, for sexual purposes.

concubine

/ ˈkɒn-; ˈkɒŋkjʊˌbaɪn; kɒŋˈkjʊbɪnərɪ /

noun

1. (in polygamous societies) a secondary wife, usually of lower social rank
2. a woman who cohabits with a man

Derived Forms

• concubinary, nounadjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of concubine¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin concubīna, equivalent to concub- (variant stem of concumbere “to lie together”; con-, incumbent ) + -īna, feminine suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of concubine¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin concubīna, from concumbere to lie together, from cubare to lie

Example Sentences

His war council, and his concubine pit, consists of a crew of mannequins.

From Salon

The defense attorney described Bravo in his opening arguments as a “gigolo” who had essentially turned Rachel into a concubine.

From Los Angeles Times

As the choreographer read about this eccentric ruler — a gifted athlete with extravagant appetites and wives, kids, concubines and Rolls-Royces galore, who died in his 40s — a production took shape in his mind.

From Washington Post

Local myth says they represent a man who couldn’t choose between his wife and concubine, so all three of them were petrified.

From New York Times

Drawing together decades of writing, these stories follow concubines who fall in love, paranormal researchers and an older man forced to confront his past.

From New York Times

Related Words

• mistress