matriarchal
|ma/tri/ar/chal|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌmeɪtriˈɑrkəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌmeɪtriˈɑːkəl/
female-led authority
Etymology
Etymology Information
'matriarchal' originates from the Latin word 'mater,' meaning 'mother,' combined with the Greek word 'arkhein,' meaning 'to rule.'
Historical Evolution
'matriarchal' evolved from the Latin 'matriarchia' and the Greek 'matriarkhia,' eventually becoming the modern English word 'matriarchal.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'rule by mothers,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to a matriarch or matriarchy.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of a matriarch or a matriarchy.
The tribe had a matriarchal society where women held the primary power positions.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/20 11:51