Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Cohabit?

\Co*hab"it\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Cohabited}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Cohabiting}.] [L. cohabitare; co- + habitare to dwell, to have possession of (a place), freg. of habere to have. See {Habit}, n. & v.] 1. To inhabit or reside in company, or in the same place or country. The Philistines were worsted by the captived ark . . . : they were not able to cohabit with that holy thing. --South. 2. To dwell or live together as husband and wife. The law presumes that husband and wife cohabit together, even after a voluntary separation has taken place between them. --Bouvier. Note: By the common law as existing in the United States, marriage is presumed when a man and woman cohabit permanently together, being reputed by those who know them to be husband and wife, and admitting the relationship. --Wharton.