rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryconcubinePartner below wife status
noun

concubine

KAHNG-kyoo-bine/ˈkɑːŋkjubaɪn/

A woman who lives with a man as a sexual partner without the status of a wife.

The married man keeps a concubine in a separate home.

A compact parallel comparison shows a married man maintaining an intimate relationship with a second woman in a separate home, depicting the frozen sense: a woman kept as a secondary sexual partner by a man.
Etymology
conLatinwith, together
+cubineLatinto lie down

“Lying together” supplied the image for cohabitation without marriage. The word also designated a secondary wife of inferior standing, connecting the sexual relationship with a subordinate household status.

In context

DramaBreak103:40
They call her a secondary wife, but who doesn’t know that a “co-wife” is really a concubine? This was clearly taking advantage
[FULL] Reborn With Hatred She Fights Villains And Finally Weds The Man She Loves#minidramas

More examples

  • The novel follows a concubine living in the ruler's household.
  • She lives with him as his concubine, not his wife.
  • The historian studies the lives of the emperor's concubines.

Forms

concubine · concubines

concubinage noun — The state of living as a concubine.

Similar words

mistress
A man's sexual partner outside marriage, not necessarily living with him.
partner
A broader term that does not imply lower marital status.