Agunot

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term used in Jewish law referring to a woman who is unable to obtain a religious divorce from her husband
2. A specific designation for a female who remains bound in marriage without the option of remarrying due to the husband's refusal to grant a divorce
3. Describing a situation where a woman is prevented from dissolving her marriage because her spouse is either missing or obstinate in providing a divorce document

Etymology: "Agunot" is the plural of "aguna," a Hebrew term whose literal sense is "chained woman" or "anchored woman," drawn from the root for binding or tying. The term describes a woman who cannot remarry because her husband has disappeared without proof of death, or who refuses to grant the religious divorce document that Jewish law requires for dissolving a marriage. Because a husband's cooperation is needed, the woman remains legally bound to a marriage that has ended in every other sense. The plural form follows regular Hebrew patterns for feminine nouns, so the word applies to any number of women in this predicament. The image of being tied to a marriage that no longer functions explains why the term has endured in discussions of religious law and women's rights.