matronage

American  

[mey-truh-nij, ma-] / ˈmeɪ trə nɪdʒ, ˈmæ- /

noun

1. the state of being a matron.

2. guardianship by a matron.

3. matrons collectively.

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matronage British  

/ ˈmeɪtrənɪdʒ /

noun

1. the state of being a matron

2. supervision or care by a matron

3. matrons collectively

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Etymology

Origin of matronage

First recorded in 1765–75; matron + -age

Example Sentences

It spoke volumes for the purity and simplicity of the society that for years it had gone on thus, and no necessity for any matronage had been felt.

From Four Years in Rebel Capitals An Inside View of Life in the Southern Confederacy from Birth to Death by DeLeon, T. C.

If we should suppose the Princess of Wales to have been at the head of the matronage of the land for these last ten years, what would have been the difference on public opinion!

From Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 6 by Lockhart, J. G. (John Gibson)

We were both on the point of retiring; when the Duchess, after a brief consultation with some of the surrounding matronage, made a sign to Mariamne to approach.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 54, No. 333, July 1843 by Various