matronize

American  

[may-truh-nahyz] / ˈmeɪ trəˌnaɪz /

especially British, matronise

verb (used with object)

matronized, matronizing

1. to cause to become matronly; cause to act as, or fulfill the role of, matron.

2. to serve as a matron to; chaperon.

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verb (used without object)

matronized, matronizing

1. to become a matron.

Etymology

Origin of matronize

First recorded in 1745–55; matron + -ize

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

matronize matronized matronizing

I dote upon chaperones; and by coming with this family, I had Mrs. Twamberley to matronize me.

From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Eliza Leslie

But he said that he was going with his wife, and that if we would come along she could matronize us both.

From A Fearful Responsibility and Other Stories by William Dean Howells

Just introduce me for your grandmother, will you, and I will matronize the party.'

From Wych Hazel by Susan Warner

Mrs. Lambert will matronize them; it'll be an old dance, rather, as far as the girls are concerned, but I've asked two or three buds; and some of the young married people.

From The Quality of Mercy by William Dean Howells

"I'm sure Aunt Marion ought to be here to matronize you," said Jack.

From Old Friends and New by Sarah Orne Jewett

This last year the ten who are new members of it were for the first time invited to a class supper, going 254 to it matronized by Mrs. Walker, the wife of the president.

From Miss Ashton's New Pupil A School Girl's Story by Mrs. S. S. Robbins

She always claimed the entire credit of Clover's match, declaring that if she had not matronized her out to the Valley and introduced her and Geoff to each other, they would never have met.

From In the High Valley Being the fifth and last volume of the Katy Did series by Susan Coolidge

She quacked about among her neighbors until she collected the whole flock, and then matronized them down to the big shallow pond in front of the house.

From Harper's Young People, August 24, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various

This was all the conversation we had together during the evening, except when she introduced some acquaintance to fulfill her matronizing duties.

From Lemorne Versus Huell by Elizabeth Stoddard

"Perhaps, if she is coming here for her health, she won't need much matronizing."

From A Fearful Responsibility and Other Stories by William Dean Howells

She was amazed to see Miss Craydocke present, countenancing and matronizing.

From A Summer in Leslie Goldthwaite's Life. by A. D. T. (Adeline Dutton Train) Whitney

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