Polyam Peeps
A network of interconnected relationships; can be used to refer to the network itself, or a chart illustrating the same.
What is a polycule?
A relationship of three people, all of whom are romantically involved with one another.
What are triads/throuples?
Relationships in which certain partnerships are prioritized above others and/or given additional powers in rule-setting.
What are hierarchical relationships?
Any relationship structure in which all partners are aware and consenting to some form of non-monogamy.
What is ethical non-monogamy?
The state of feeling or showing envy of someone or their other relationships.
What is jealousy?
The partner of one’s partner.
What is a metamour?
Couples who seek a bisexual woman who prefers to have relationships with both parts of a heterosexual couple on terms set primarily by that couple’s agreements for a relationship. This term is often used derisively, as this type of person is almost impossible to find because of the need to agree with all of the couple’s terms, and because this structure when managed is often used to negatively impact young bisexual women new to polyamory.
What are unicorn hunters?
Groups of people who have decided not to see people outside of their existing relationship networks.
What is a closed polycule?
Relationships that strive for equal autonomy and standing of relationships rather than prioritizing one over another.
What are non-hierarchical relationships?
Happiness at the joy of one’s partner in another relationship; sometimes referred to as the opposite of jealousy.
What is compersion?
A partner with whom one shares a home.
What is a nesting partner?
The shared partner between two people.
What is a hinge?
A relationship network in which people are welcome to search for additional partners and enter into new relationships.
What is an open polycule?
A relationship in which a (usually formerly monogamous, usually hierarchical and primary) couple chooses to allow each other to see other people but doesn’t want information on their metamours or what their partner does with them.
What are "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" relationships?
The excitement and giddiness that comes with a new relationship and its early stages.
What is New Relationship Energy (NRE)?
The prioritized relationship or partner in a hierarchical set-up.
What is a primary relationship/partner?
The partner of a metamour who is not your shared partner.
What is a telemour?
A style of polyamorous relationship in which each individual relationship exists largely independent of either partner’s additional romantic or sexual relationships, and in which there is not an intentional focus on entwining the relationship network.
What is parallel polyamory?
A relationship structure that can be viewed as a kind of non-hierarchical polyamory, but more specifically applies anarchist principles of self-determination and lack of state involvement to intimate relationships.
What is relationship anarchy?
The comfort and security associated with an established relationship.
What is Established Relationship Energy (ERE)?
A partner who one regards as a central figure in one’s life, a stable “rock” or “anchor” to lean on. Often used in non-hierarchical relationships for someone’s equivalent(s) of a primary partner in a hierarchical setting.
What is an anchor partner?
A long distance relationship where the partners only meet in person rarely but are happy to pick up their connection at those times and be less intensely in touch in between.
What is a comet relationship?
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 prioritized. Close relationships between metamours and/or telemours are strongly encouraged or required.
What is kitchen table polyamory?
A form of polyamory in which an individual chooses to be their own “primary partner,” building connections without the assumption of progressing up the “relationship escalator” with one or more.
What is solo polyamory?
A state of mind which results from a romantic attraction to another person and typically includes obsessive thoughts and fantasies and a desire to form or maintain a relationship with the object of love; sometimes referred to as “the anxious part of NRE.”
What is limerence?