Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

sororate

noun

/ˈsɔːrəˌreɪt/

Definition

A custom or practice of marrying the sister of one’s deceased wife.

Examples

In some cultures, the sororate is seen as a way to keep the wealth within the family.
He decided to follow the sororate custom after his wife’s untimely death.
In anthropology, the sororate is often compared to the levirate, where a man marries his deceased brother’s wife.

Meaning

Sororate refers to a marital relationship or arrangement where a man marries his deceased wife’s sister as a way to maintain the family connections and provide for the children of the deceased.