Josephite marriage

noun

A marriage in which the couple do not have sexual relations with each other, often (but not necessarily) for religious reasons. Such marriages are not considered sham marriages as long as there is true partnership and a common household.

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Meanings

nounJosephite marriage (countable and uncountable, plural Josephite marriages)

plural Josephite marriages

  1. countableuncountableA marriage in which the couple do not have sexual relations with each other, often (but not necessarily) for religious reasons. Such marriages are not considered sham marriages as long as there is true partnership and a common household.

Origin

From Joseph, husband of Mary, the latter of whom remained a virgin all her life according to Catholic and Orthodox dogma.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

German Josephsehe
  • JosephseheTranslations
Polish ślub józefowy
  • ślub józefowyTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

Josephite marriage. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Josephite%20marriage

MLA

“Josephite marriage.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Josephite%20marriage. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Josephite marriage,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Josephite%20marriage.

Source: Josephite marriage on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.