What is a Polycule?

polycule (plural polycules) All of the people linked through their relationships, usually romantic and/or sexual, to one or more members of a polyamorous group. quotations ▼ Our polycule doubled in size when my spouse started seeing Boris, whose husband has six other partners.

What does it mean to be in a Polycule?

The word is a blend of poly- (meaning “many,” as in polyamorous, or simultaneously and consensually being in multiple serious romantic or sexual relationships) and molecule. A polycule is a connected network of people in non-monogamous relationships.

Why is it called Polycule?

The word polycule is a blending of “polyamory” and “molecule,” reflecting relationship configurations that often resemble the chemical structure of molecules. In hierarchical polycules, which Ellison refers to in her blog post, there is a central relationship usually referred to as the “primary” relationship.

How do Polycules work?

polycule is a connected network of people in non-monogamous relationships. ... Polycules can take many different forms, such as a triad (three people in a relationship with each other) or a quad (four people). Polycule describe all of these relationships.

How many are in a Polycule?

Triads, also known colloquially as throuples, are three people who are all in a romantic relationship. All three members see one another as equal partners. A triad can be referred to as one's polycule.

Polyamory 101: Polycules, Primaries, Relationship Anarchy, and More...

Does Polycule have to be romantic?

A polycule is a group of people who are connected through romantic relationships. Members of a polycule are not necessarily all in a relationship with each other, but they may be. Members of the same polycule who are not in relationship with each other are called metamours.

What does V mean in polyamory?

Vee: A vee relationship is made up of three partners and gets its name from the letter “V,” in which one person acts as the “hinge” or “pivot” partner dating two people. The other two people are not romantically or sexually involved with each other.

What is a nesting partner?

Nesting Partner: Partner you live with and likely share bills with - can be a "primary partner," but not necessarily. Anchor Partner: Partner you probably have logistical ties with, most likely live with, perhaps have the deepest or longest term emotional ties with - sometimes called "primary partner"

How many partners can a poly person have?

Other researchers like Fleckenstein and Cox found that most polyamorous people maintain two or at the most three partnerships simultaneously.

What is a nesting couple?

Perhaps you have heard of parents “Nesting” (sometimes called “Birds-nesting”) while separated or divorcing. Nesting refers to a transitional arrangement where parents continue to share the family home and take turns being “on duty” with their children.

What is a 3 person relationship called?

A throuple is a relationship in which all three people are involved with each other intimately.

Why do people cheat polyamory?

There are many reasons why people cheat, and not all of them are rooted in the person being secretly polyamorous. Some people cheat because they've fallen out of love with their existing partner and in love with a new one. Some people cheat because they have unmet needs in their relationship.

Is polyamory the same as cheating?

Polyamory is, in short, consensual, ethical, and responsible non-monogamy. This goes directly against the idea of cheating. Cheating is non-consensual, in that the person being cheated on did not consent to non-monogamy, and is unable to make informed decisions about their sexual and emotional health.

What is a Polycule in polyamory?

polycule (plural polycules) All of the people linked through their relationships, usually romantic and/or sexual, to one or more members of a polyamorous group.

What is solo poly vs single poly?

People who are solo polyamorous do have relationships, but they retain an independent lifestyle. Instead of having a primary partner—one that most closely resembles a traditional monogamous partnership in polyamorous relationships—some solo polyamorists consider themselves their primary partner.

Can a poly relationship have 4?

As the name implies, a quad refers to a relationship with four people. This type of polyamorous relationship often occurs when two polyamorous couples meet and begin dating one person from the other couple. You can also have a full quad, where all four members are romantically or sexually involved with one another.

What celebrities are polyamorous?

How long do poly couples last?

A survey of 340 polyamorous adults shows their polyam relationships lasting an average of eight years. The most typical polyam relationship involves a primary committed couple, with each member free to explore other relationships.

What is kitchen table polyamory?

Kitchen Table Polyamory (KTP) refers to 'a style of polyamorous relationship in which the interrelationship of a network, and the integration of multiple romantic relationships into one life or group, is prioritised,' explains Jordan Dixon, a clinical sex and relationships psychotherapist.

What is kink poly?

However, in practice, polyamory (sometimes referred to as poly) is often defined as consensual non-monogamy, which is an open, honest, transparent agreement among partners to love more than one.

What is ENM in dating?

ENM Meaning

Ethical non-monogamy (ENM; sometimes also referred to as consensual non-monogamy) is the practice of being romantically involved with multiple people who are all aware of and agree to this relationship structure.

What does NP mean in dating?

Nesting Partner (NP): A live-in partner. This is not always inherently synonymous with primary partner, but often can be. This term solely refers to a beloved with whom a person cohabitates. Parallel Poly(amory): a style of polyamory where one person's partners do not meet or interact with each other.

What does NM mean in polyamory?

Non-monogamy (or nonmonogamy) is an umbrella term for every practice or philosophy of non-dyadic intimate relationship that does not strictly hew to the standards of monogamy, particularly that of having only one person with whom to exchange sex, love, and/or affection.

What is solo polyamory?

At its core, solo polyamory refers to people who are open to dating or engaging in multiple meaningful relationships without having a 'primary partner': one person to whom they're committed above all other partners.

What does PLP mean in relationship?

Brown and Lilygren have a relationship that goes beyond most friendships. Lilygren considers them “platonic life partners”, meaning they are each other's primary partners – the way people often relate to spouses or romantic partners, only romance and sex don't factor into their relationship.