leviratical

English

Alternative forms

• leviratic

Etymology

From levirate +‎ -ical. From Latin levir (“a husband's brother, brother-in-law”), akin to Ancient Greek δᾱήρ (dāḗr). Compare French lévirat (“leviration”).

Adjective

leviratical (comparative more leviratical, superlative most leviratical)

1. Of, relating to, or in accordance with levirate marriage.
   • 1855, Henry Alford, The Greek Testament:

     The first-born son of a leviratical marriage was reckoned and registered as the son of the deceased brother.