sororate
/səˈrɔreɪt/
noun
- A custom in some societies where a man marries his wife's sister, usually after the wife's death or if she is unable to have children.
- The novel explored the emotional complexities of sororate in a traditional village.
- The anthropologist studied the practice of sororate among several indigenous groups.
- In some cultures, sororate helped maintain family alliances after a wife passed away.