polyamider

Polyamider is a rarely used term that refers to a person who engages in polyamory, the practice or philosophy of maintaining intimate relationships with more than one partner with the informed consent of everyone involved. In most contexts, people who identify as polyamorous or as polyamorists are described using those terms rather than polyamider, which appears mainly in informal writing and is not widely standardized.

Origin and usage: The word appears to be a coinage derived from polyamory plus the agent noun suffix -er. It is not commonly listed in major dictionaries and its meaning can be ambiguous, leading some writers to prefer more established labels such as polyamorous person or polyamorist.

Ethical framework: While the specifics vary, many polyamiders share emphasis on consent, honesty, communication, and boundary negotiation. Relationships may take forms ranging from non-hierarchical networks to structures with primary partners; arrangements are chosen by those involved and can change over time.

Social and legal context: Polyamory as a practice faces stigma and legal gaps in areas such as parenting rights and healthcare access. The term polyamider remains uncommon; discussions typically rely on broader terms like polyamory, polyamorous, or non-monogamy to describe practices and communities.

See also: polyamory, polyamorist, non-monogamy.