Relationship
Styles Terminology
Arranged conceptually
rather than alphabetically
LOVE- That condition wherein the other
person's happiness is essential to your own.
SEXUALOVE- The synergic fusing of love
and sexuality into a single erotic emotion in an intimate relationship.
COMPERSION- Warm happy feelings experienced
when noticing ones loved ones enjoying loving relationships
with others.The opposite of jealousy.
JEALOUSY- Neurotic anxiety based on fear
of losing control over a partner one regards as a possession.
JEALOUS- Resentfully envious or suspicious
of rival influences.
LOVESTYLE- Refers to the design of a sexualove
relationship style. Like the term "lifestyle," it
implies a conscious choice.
HETEROSEXUAL/STRAIGHT- (hetero=different)
A lovestyle orientation in which sexualove is experienced only
between members of opposite sexes.
HOMOSEXUAL/GAY- (homo=same) A lovestyle
orientation in which sexualove is experienced only between members
of the same sex.
BISEXUAL/BI- (bi=two) A lovestyle orientation
in which sexualove is experienced both between members of the
same and opposite sexes.
DYAD- A sexualove relationship consisting
of two primary partners.
TRIAD- The most basic and common form of
multipartner relationship, consisting of three adult primary
partners, usually two of one sex and one of the other.
PRIMARY RELATIONSHIP- A committed, long
term, live in sexualove relationship which may or may not include
marriage and/or shared economy.
SECONDARY RELATIONSHIP- An ongoing sexualove
relationship in which the partners usually do not live together,
and do not consider their relationship a first priority.
TERTIARY RELATIONSHIP- A friendly but casual
sexualove relationship of an occasional or temporary nature.
OPEN RELATIONSHIP- A sexualove relationship
in which the partners have agreed that each may independently
form outside sexualove relationships.
CLOSED/EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP- A sexualove
relationship in which the partners have agreed to have no other
lovers outside of the relationship.
INCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP- An intimate sexualove
relationship in which all partners have agreed to form a synergistic
group and in which each dyad is warm and trusting. The existing
relationship may expand to include more people with mutual consent.
MULTIMATE RELATIONSHIP- Similar to an inclusive
relationship or expanded family, but all partners are primary,
whether or not they are married.
MULTIPARTNER RELATIONSHIP- Any non monogamous
lovestyle.
CONDOM COMMITMENT- An agreement among all
the members of any open sexualove relationship group that all
partners be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, and that
condoms be used with any lovers outside of the group.
MARRIAGE- A contractually committed partnership,
including sexualove, cohabitation, shared economy/property and
mutual childrearing.
OPEN MARRIAGE- A marriage of two partners
that is not sexually exclusive, but permits either or both partners
to have other lovers outside of the primary relationship within
the marriage.
GROUP MARRIAGE- (see Polygamy) Marriage
in which three or more adult partners are married to each other.
A group marriage may be open, closed or inclusive.
PLURAL MARRIAGE- A term often applied to
old-Mormon style polygyny (plural marriages are no longer accepted
in the Mormon church). All wives may live together, or each
may have her own home.
OPEN GROUP MARRIAGE- A marriage of three
or more adult partners that is not sexually exclusive, but permits
partners to have other outside lovers.
LINE MARRIAGE- An inclusive group marriage
designed to continue in perpetuity as new members may be added
by mutual consent of the existing partners, replacing any who
leave or die.
CORPORATE MARRIAGE- A group marriage that
is legally structured and registered as a corporate entity,
whether a DBA, Partnership, Trust, Corporation or other legal
form
MONOGAMY- (mono=one; gamy=marriage) The
practice or state of being married to only one person at a time.
Sexual exclusivity is implied.
MONOGAMOUS- Inclined, capable and desiring
of sexual exclusivity in a marriage with a single partner.
SERIAL MONOGAMY- The most common lovestyle
in the US today. Consists of being married to one partner at
a time with frequent changes in partners.
NON MONOGAMY- (see Polyamory) Any lovestyle
which allows more than one sexualoving relationship at the same
time.
POLYAMORY- (poly=many; amor=love) The practice,
state or ability of having multiple sexualove partners at the
same time.
POLYAMOROUS- Inclined, capable and desiring
of having multiple sexualove partners at the same time.
POLYGAMY- (poly=many; gamy=marriage) The
practice or state of being married to two or more partners at
the same time. No limitations are implied as to the sex or number
of the partners. The generic term for group marriages.
POLYGAMOUS- Inclined, capable and desiring
of marriage with several partners at the same time.
POLYGYNY- (poly=many; gyno=woman) Polygamy
in which one man has two or more wives at the same time.
POLYANDRY- (poly=many; andro=man) Polygamy
in which one woman has two or more husbands at the same time.
POLYFIDELITY- (poly=many; fidelis=faithful)
The state or practice of sexual exclusivity among a group of
three or more primary partners. A closed group marriage emphasizing
equal primacy of all relationships.
POLYFIDELITOUS- Inclined, capable and desiring
of sexual exclusivity among a group of three or more primary
partners.
PROMISCUOUS- (pro=forth; miscere=to mix)
Engaging in casual sexual relations with many persons indiscriminately.
SWINGING- Sport sex for couples. A form
of non sexually exclusive monogamy in which two primary partners
agree to have caual sex with other couples or singles as long
as there is no emotional involvement.
SWAPPING- A form of swinging in which two
or more primary partnered couples exchange partners for recreational
sex.
FAMILY- A group of adults and/or children
bound together by ties of mutual commitment, primary relationships,
intimacy and shared lives, and regarding themselves as a family.
CELLULAR FAMILY- A multi adult family whose
structure allows new partners to be added to the family with
mutual consent.
EXPANDED FAMILY- A lovestyle in which three
or more partners consciously choose a committed, multiple, primary,
sexualoving relationship. Rules about outside partners vary,
as does sexual orientation.
CLAN- An extended family, including secondary
and tertiary relationships, who regard themselves as a clan.
TRIBE- An affiliation of families and clans
sharing common values, customs and traditions, and regarding
themselves as a tribe.
INTIMATE NETWORK (INTINET)- A web of lovers
in varying degrees of intimate relationships within a social
circle.
FREEMATE, PARAMOUR, CONSORT- Terms used
to describe nonmarried members of a multimate relationship.
CO WIFE, CO HUSBAND- Terms used to descibe
one's other partners in a group marriage.