agunah
noun
agu·nah
ˌä-gü-ˈnä,
ä-ˈgü-nə
plural -s
Jewish law
: a woman whose husband has deserted her or has disappeared and who may not remarry until she gives proof of his death or obtains a bill of divorce
Word History
Etymology
Hebrew ʽăghūnāh prevented, restrained (from remarrying)
First Known Use
circa 1901, in the meaning defined above