matriarch

matriarch
matriarch ma"tri*arch, n. [L. mater mother + -arch.] 1. The mother and ruler of a family or of her descendants; a ruler by maternal right. [1913 Webster]

2. A woman who dominates or is the most important member of a group or organization; in businesses, often the founder or owner of the largest interest. [PJC]

3. A venerated old woman. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • matriarch — index parents Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • matriarch — mother who heads a family or tribe, c.1600, from MATRI (Cf. matri ) + arch, abstracted from PATRIARCH (Cf. patriarch) …   Etymology dictionary

  • matriarch — ► NOUN 1) a woman who is the head of a family or tribe. 2) a powerful older woman. DERIVATIVES matriarchal adjective matriarchy noun. ORIGIN from Latin mater mother , on the false analogy of patriarch …   English terms dictionary

  • matriarch — [mā′trē ärk΄] n. [ MATRI + ARCH] 1. a mother who rules her family or tribe; specif., a woman who is head of a matriarchy 2. a highly respected elderly woman matriarchal [mā′trēär′kəl] adj …   English World dictionary

  • Matriarch — A matriarch, clan mother or chief is an autocratic female ruler of a human family, clan, or kinship, or of an animal grouping. The matriarch is usually the oldest female in an extended family. Her authority over the others, as well as their trust …   Wikipedia

  • matriarch — [[t]me͟ɪtriɑː(r)k[/t]] matriarchs 1) N COUNT A matriarch is a woman who rules in a society in which power passes from mother to daughter. 2) N COUNT A matriarch is an old and powerful female member of a family, for example a grandmother …   English dictionary

  • matriarch — UK [ˈmeɪtrɪˌɑː(r)k] / US [ˈmeɪtrɪˌɑrk] noun [countable] Word forms matriarch : singular matriarch plural matriarchs a female leader of a family or community …   English dictionary

  • Matriarch Gyrull — is a secondary character in Ian Irvine s The Well of Echoes quartet. Physical Description Gyrull is a large female lyrinx, who has scarred chest armour. Unlike her daughter, Liett, Gyrull is not deformed in anyway. Gyrull s skin is fully capable… …   Wikipedia

  • Matriarch (Lyrinx Title) — Matriarch or Wise Mother is a lyrinx title, denoted to few lyrinx females.There are six Matriarchs, one for each city, each having power over their province and making up a leadership council. Though Matriarch Gyrull is pre eminent among them… …   Wikipedia

  • Matriarch (novel) — Matriarch   Matriarch …   Wikipedia

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