META DEFINITION IN POLYAMORY SERIAL

To further clarify, when I say 'a set of people' in poly, I partially mean a limited number of people that is, in my definition, I don't try to refer to everyone that is linked to the composite chain/s of people. Or as well as a connected group, I'm looking for words that fit both kinds of poly. I was actually already thinking about changing 'connected' to 'linked.' So, polyamory = 'the state of being, or the ability and/or inclination to be, in a romantically-linked set of more than two persons, with the full knowledge and consent of all the persons in the set.' This way you might be able to visualize an indefinite chain or chains of people, rather than a connected group.

META DEFINITION IN POLYAMORY SERIAL

This term is not intended to apply to merely casual recreational sex, anonymous orgies, one-night stands, pick-ups, prostitution, 'cheating,' serial monogamy, or the definition of swinging as 'mate-swapping' parties. The two essential ingredients of the concept of 'polyamory' are 'more than one' and 'loving.' That is, it is expected that the people in such relationships have a loving emotional bond, are involved in each other's lives multi-dimensionally, and care for each other. As far as we have understood, swinging specifically does not involve 'cheating,' and it certainly does involve having 'multiple lovers'! Moreover, we understand from speaking with a few swinging activists that many swingers are closely bonded with their various lovers, as best friends and regular partners. This term was meant to be inclusive, and in that context, we have never intended to particularly exclude 'swinging' per se, if practitioners thereof wished to adopt the term and include themselves. The practice, state or ability of having more than one sexual loving relationship at the same time, with the full knowledge and consent of all partners involved.

Meta definition in polyamory