syneisaktism

== English == === Etymology === From Ancient Greek συνείσακτος (suneísaktos, “(adjective) introduced together; (noun) participant in syneisaktism”), from συνεισάγω (suneiságō, “to bring in together”), from συν- (sun-, “together”) + εἰσάγω (eiságō, “to bring in, introduce”). === Noun === syneisaktism (uncountable) (historical, religion, Christianity) The practice, from early Christian until mediaeval times, of a man and woman living together in a non-legalised relationship while observing vows of chastity. ==== Usage notes ==== The practice was often viewed with suspicion and disapproval. Females so "introduced" into a man's household were sometimes called virgines subintroductae — "virgins introduced secretly" — or simply subintroductae; other, less negatively loaded terms are Agapetae (“beloved ones”) and syneisaktoi. ==== Alternative forms ==== syneisactism ==== Synonyms ==== (practice of non-legalised chaste relationship): spiritual marriage === See also === asceticism celibacy chastity virginity === Further reading === Mariage blanc on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Religion and sexuality on Wikipedia.Wikipedia