sb. and a. [ad. L. contubernālis tent-companion, comrade, prop. adj., f. con- together with + taberna hut, tent: cf. contubernium occupation of a tent in common.]
A. sb. One who occupies the same tent; a tent-fellow, comrade.
[1633. Sanderson, Serm., iii. (1681), II. 40. Under the same Captains Contubernales and Comrades.]
1842. Tait’s Mag., IX. 681. Mine ancient contubernal, Billy Sheridan.
B. adj. Of or relating to occupation of the same tent; pertaining to temporary marriage.
1858. G. B. Cheever, Sp. agst. Slavery, May, 4. We make use of the most sacred domestic affections, of maternal, filial, and, I was going to say, connubial love—but the system forbids, and I have to say contubernal—for such rapid and accumulating production of the iniquity, as shall be in some measure adequate to the demand.
1873. C. C. Jones, in Literature (N. Y.), 9 Feb., 1889, 273. Frequently monogamous—the contubernal relation being dissoluble at the will of the male.
