Middle English Dictionary Entry
bīgam adj. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bīgam adj. & n. |
| Etymology | OF bigame & ML bigamus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Having two wives; (b) one who marries a widow; married twice (also fig. of Christ).
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1528 : Lameth..was þe first o liue Þat bigam was wit dubul vijfe [Frf: þat bigan haue double wyue].
b
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.87 : Þis wedding bitokeneþ love þat God hadde to his Chirche, how he wolde bicome man and be newe weddid to it. And herfor was Crist not bigamus, ne brake not his matrimonye, siþ þe same Chirche his wif lastiþ ever more.
- (c1456) Pecock Faith (Trin-C B.14.45)246 : The pope ȝeveth leeve to a bigam..to a man that hath be twies weddid, forto be a dekene and a preest [etc.].
- (c1456) Pecock Faith (Trin-C B.14.45)278 : Poul ordeynyd a bigam to not be deken or preest.