levirate

Definitions of levirate
  1. noun
    the biblical institution whereby a man must marry the widow of his childless brother in order to maintain the brother's line
    see moresee less
    type of:
    institution
    a custom that for a long time has been an important feature of some group or society
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘levirate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family