yichud

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Hebrew ייחוד.

Noun

yichud (uncountable)

1. (Judaism) The prohibition in Jewish religious law against seclusion in a private area of a man and a woman who are not married to each other, so as to prevent adultery or promiscuity.
2. (Judaism) The state of being secluded in a private area with someone of the opposite sex.
   • 1996 April 30, Jonathan Kamens, “Question on love affairs and illegitimate children”, in soc.culture.jewish‎^[1] (Usenet):

     If a man and a woman entered yichud, in the presence of witnesses, with the intent of their act signifying marriage, they *would* be married enough to require a get, regardless of whether or not they actually had sex in the room.