Great Mother

American  

[greyt muhth-er] / ˈgreɪt ˈmʌð ər /

noun

1. The Great Mother, a vaguely defined deity symbolizing maternity, the fertility of the earth, and femininity in general; the central figure in the religions of ancient Anatolia, the Middle East, and the eastern Mediterranean, later sometimes taking the form of a specific goddess, as Cybele, Rhea, or Demeter.

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Etymology

Origin of Great Mother

First recorded in 1550–60; translation of Latin Magna Māter, from Greek Megálē Mḗtēr

Example Sentences

Everest’s summit — Chomolungma, or the Great Mother — chronicled in her book, she found release and began to heal.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2023

Last years I drank Great Mother red from Stilianou on Crete, which, like the Bairrada producers and baga, treats mandilaria with the lightest of hands.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2022

"The Great Mother" recounts a turbulent period in the history of women through more than 400 paintings, photographs, drawings, sculptures, short films, and artefacts, including a flyer advertising the first abortion clinic.

From Reuters • Aug. 26, 2015

Sincerely, You're a Great Mother and It's Really Boring Dear YAGMAIRB, You say that Tammy is trying to compensate for her own crummy childhood.

From Slate • Nov. 15, 2011

The Great Mother had saved us, and we escaped without looking back.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall