a. and sb. Obs. Also 5–6 bygame. [a. OF. bigame, ad. med.L. bigamus, f. bi- two, twice + Gr. -γαμος married.] Having at the same time two wives or husbands. sb. A man or woman so married. In Eccl. Law applied also to one who marries a second time.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1528. Lamech … was þe first o liue Þat bigam was wit dubul vijfe.
a. 1460. Pecock, in Lewis, Life, 286 (T.). St. Paul’s ordaining that a bigam should not be a deacon.
1491. Caxton, Vitas Patr. (W. de W.), I. cxvii. 140 a/1. In the sayd cite was a man bygame.
1502. Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W.), IV. xxi. (1506), 234. If he were … excommunycate, bygame, illegittime.
