matriarch
[mey-tree-ahrk]
- the female head of a family or tribal line.
- a woman who is the founder or dominant member of a community or group.
- a venerable old woman.
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Origin of matriarch
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for matriarchal
Contemporary Examples
Jane was raised in a matriarchal family by her hyper-religious grandma and young, aspiring singer single mother.
By calling in the matriarchal troops, Elin effectively changed the rules of the game.
Historical Examples
The first has the matriarchal while the second has the patriarchal system.
We have seen this from our exposition of the matriarchal period.
Woman and SocialismAugust Bebel
The Jewish home blended two ideals, patriarchal and matriarchal.
Child Versus ParentStephen Wise
Still the old awe of the Word of the matriarchal, matrilineal church.
Evil Out of OnzarMark Ganes
The Yaos of Africa have what may be regarded as a matriarchal organisation.
The Position of Woman in Primitive SocietyC. Gasquoine Hartley
matriarch
- a woman who dominates an organization, community, etc
- the female head of a tribe or family, esp in a matriarchy
- a very old or venerable woman
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Word Origin
C17: from matri- + -arch, by false analogy with patriarch
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for matriarchal
matriarch
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper