Dictionary
matriarch
noun ma·tri·arch \ˈmā-trē-ˌärk\
: a woman who controls a family, group, or government
Full Definition of MATRIARCH
: a woman who rules or dominates a family, group, or state; specifically : a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants
— ma·tri·ar·chal \ˌmā-trē-ˈär-kəl\ adjective
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First Known Use of MATRIARCH
1606
Related to MATRIARCH
- Synonyms
- dame, dowager, grande dame, matron
Other Government and Politics Terms
MATRIARCH Defined for Kids
matriarch
noun ma·tri·arch \ˈmā-trē-ˌärk\
Definition of MATRIARCH for Kids
: a woman who is the head of a family, group, or state
Word Root of MATRIARCH
The Latin word mater, meaning “mother,” gives us the root mater or matr. Anyone or anything maternal, such as a grandparent, is related through the mother's side of the family. Maternity is the state of being a mother. A matriarch is a woman who is the mother and head of a family. A matron is a married woman who may be a mother.
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Next Word in the Dictionary: matriarchatePrevious Word in the Dictionary: matr-All Words Near: matriarch
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