Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

matriarch

 - 3 dictionary results
Matriarch at Amazon
Low prices on new & used music. Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Amazon.com/music

ma⋅tri⋅arch

  [mey-tree-ahrk]
Use matriarch in a Sentence
–noun
1. the female head of a family or tribal line.
2. a woman who is the founder or dominant member of a community or group.
3. a venerable old woman.
Origin:
1600–10; matri- + -arch

Related forms:
ma⋅tri⋅ar⋅chal, ma⋅tri⋅ar⋅chic, adjective
ma⋅tri⋅ar⋅chal⋅ism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To matriarch
Matriarch at Amazon
Low prices on new & used music. Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Amazon.com/music
ma·tri·arch   (mā'trē-ärk')   
n.  

  1. A woman who rules a family, clan, or tribe.

  2. A woman who dominates a group or an activity.

  3. A highly respected woman who is a mother.

ma'tri·ar'chal (-är'kəl), ma'tri·ar'chic (-är'kĭk) adj., ma'tri·ar'chal·ism n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

matriarch 
1606, from matri-, comb. form of L. mater (gen. matris) "mother" + -arch, abstracted from patriarch. Matriarchy formed in Eng. 1885.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see matriarch on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way