matricide

[ ma-tri-sahyd, mey- ]

noun

1. the act of killing one's mother.
2. a person who kills their mother.

matricide

/ ˈmætrɪˌsaɪd; ˈmeɪ- /

noun

1. the act of killing one's own mother
2. a person who kills his mother

Derived Forms

• ˌmatriˈcidal, adjective

Other Words From

• matri·cidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of matricide¹

First recorded 1585–95; from Latin mātricīdium matricide ( def 1 ), mātricīda matricide ( def 2 ); matri-, -cide

Word History and Origins

Origin of matricide¹

C16: from Latin mātrīcīdium (the act), mātrīcīda (the agent). See matri- , -cide

Example Sentences

If I had put “Matricide” on the Internet right after I had finished it, you would not be interviewing me right now.

From The Daily Beast

He had to pass sentence of death upon an atrocious scoundrel convicted of matricide.

From Project Gutenberg

When Seneca sanctioned, and then defended on political grounds, the matricide of Nero, from that moment his own doom was sealed.

From Project Gutenberg

It must be confessed that a great deal of the peculiar guilt of matricide evaporates in the process of explanation.

From Project Gutenberg

Woman is invulnerable; matricide is deemed the most dreadful crime that calls upon all men for vengeance.

From Project Gutenberg

Nero's matricide was not a crime, in so far as it was a positive outward act.

From Project Gutenberg