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.

---

matriarchate British  

/ -keɪt, ˈmeɪtrɪˌɑːkɪt /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of matriarchate

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

Example Sentences

Often women established their own claims and all property was held by them; which under favourable circumstances developed into what may literally be called a matriarchate.

From The Position of Woman in Primitive Society A Study of the Matriarchy by Hartley, C. Gasquoine (Catherine Gasquoine)

It was never patriarchate alone, nor yet solely matriarchate.

From Child Versus Parent Some Chapters on the Irrepressible Conflict in the Home by Wise, Stephen

Where the matriarchate prevails we naturally find no prejudice against marriage with a half-sister on the father's side, while union with a uterine sister is incestuous.

From Sex and Society by Thomas, William I.

Much of the discredit that has fallen on the matriarchate has arisen, I am certain, through the impossibility of accepting Bachofen’s mythical account of its origin.

From The Position of Woman in Primitive Society A Study of the Matriarchy by Hartley, C. Gasquoine (Catherine Gasquoine)

Let no one imagine that the so-called "matriarchate" of early ages was an ideal condition of society.

From The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV by Harper, Ida Husted