matriarchate

American  

[mey-tree-ahr-kit, -keyt] / ˈmeɪ triˌɑr kɪt, -keɪt /

noun

1. a matriarchal system or community.

2. a social order formerly believed to have preceded patriarchal tribal society in the early period of human communal life, embodying rule by the mothers, or by all adult women.

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matriarchate British  

/ -keɪt, ˈmeɪtrɪˌɑːkɪt /

noun

1. rare a family or people under female domination or government

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Etymology

Origin of matriarchate

First recorded in 1880–85; matriarch + -ate ³

Example Sentences

It was never patriarchate alone, nor yet solely matriarchate.

From Project Gutenberg

The general characteristic of the Berber family seems to have been the privileged position they accorded to their women, privileges so great that we meet with strong tendencies towards the matriarchate.

From Project Gutenberg

Fu-hi introduced matrimony; and in so doing he placed man as the husband at the head of the family and abolished the original matriarchate.

From Project Gutenberg

We find both the matriarchate and patriarchate family; and we may observe the greatest difference in the conduct of the parents in their care of offspring.

From Project Gutenberg

I said the peoples with whom we are now being brought as a nation into vital relationship may be still in the matriarchate.

From Project Gutenberg