What does uxorial mean?
Uxorial is a formal, uncommon adjective meaning “relating to marriage or to a wife.” It occurs especially in legal, historical, and anthropological writing, where it may describe a wife's marital position, authority, control, or the wider institution of marriage. In ordinary conversation, “marital” or “matrimonial” will usually sound more natural. The word should not be confused with uxorious: uxorial is descriptive and neutral, whereas uxorious traditionally describes a husband who is excessively or indulgently fond of his wife. Uxorial is especially useful when a writer needs a precise label for marriage as a relationship or for a wife's position within it, rather than the general idea of being married. Its Latin ancestry also makes it memorable: uxor means “wife,” and the same root appears in uxorious and uxoricide.
adjectiveRelating to marriage or to a wife.
- Relating to marriage or to the institution of marriage.
- Relating to a wife or to a wife's position within marriage.
"The novel offers a sharp critique of uxorial control in Victorian society."
"The novel offers a sharp critique of uxorial control in Victorian society."
"The scholar's essay traces the influence of uxorial ideals on family law."
Uxorial hides the wife in plain sight: it comes from the Latin uxor, meaning “wife.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of uxorial
Uxorial is derived from the Latin noun uxor, meaning “wife,” with the genitive uxoris and an adjectival suffix. The same root underlies uxorious and uxoricide. Its development in English reflects its long use in legal and learned discussion of marriage and the respective position of husbands and wives.
Related word forms
How uxorial is actually used
Formal and uncommon outside legal, historical, and anthropological writing. It is descriptive and generally neutral, and is easily confused with uxorious.
Easily confused with uxorial
Uxorial means relating to marriage or a wife, whereas uxorious describes a husband who is excessively or indulgently fond of his wife.