mating system

the organization of typical mating patterns within a species. Mating systems include monogamy, in which two individuals mate exclusively with each other; polygyny, in which a male mates with multiple females; polyandry, in which a female mates with multiple males; and polygynandry, in which both sexes mate with multiple partners.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

January 2nd 2025

glossolalia

n. utterances that have a phonic similarity to human language but no intelligible semantic content. Glossolalia is found in religious ecstasy (“speaking in tongues”) and in hypnotic or mediumistic trances. See also neologism; word salad.