definitions
  • synonyms

matricide

[ ma-tri-sahyd, mey- ]
/ ˈmæ trɪˌsaɪd, ˈmeɪ- /
|

noun

the act of killing one's mother.
a person who kills his or her mother.

Nearby words

matriarchate, matriarchy, matric, matrical, matrices, matricide, matriclinous, matricliny, matriculant, matriculate, matriculation

Origin of matricide

1585–95; < Latin mātricīdium (def 1), mātricīda (def 2); see matri-, -cide
Related formsmat·ri·cid·al, adjective
Can be confusedmatricide parricide patricide
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for matricide

British Dictionary definitions for matricide

matricide

/ (ˈmætrɪˌsaɪd, ˈmeɪ-) /

noun

the act of killing one's own mother
a person who kills his mother
Derived Formsmatricidal, adjective

Word Origin for matricide

C16: from Latin mātrīcīdium (the act), mātrīcīda (the agent). See matri-, -cide
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for matricide

matricide

n.

1590s, "action of killing one's mother," from French matricide, from Latin matricida "mother-killer," and matricidium "mother-killing," from comb. form of mater "mother" (see mother (n.1)) + -cida "killer," and -cidium "a killing," from caedere "to slay" (see -cide). Meaning "one who kills his mother" is 1630s. Related: Matricidal (adj.). Old English had moðorslaga "matricide, mother-slayer."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for matricide

matricide

[ măt′rĭ-sīd′ ]

n.

The act of killing one's mother.
Related formsmat′ri•cid′al (-sīd′l) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.