adelphogamy

noun

ad·​el·​phog·​a·​my

ˌa-dᵊl-ˈfä-gə-mē

plural -es

1

: polyandry in which brothers have a wife or wives in common

2

zoology : mating of brothers and sisters (as in some ants)

3

: union of mother and daughter cells (as in some yeasts)

Word History

Etymology

adelpho- + -gamy

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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