noun

matriarch

matriarch

She is the matriarch of a large, loving family.

She is the matriarch of a large, loving family.

((a matriarch)) a woman who is the head of a family or tribe She is the matriarch of the family.

Synonyms: female head, materfamilias; Antonyms: patriarch

From Latin `mater` 'mother' + Greek `arkhein` 'to rule'. So, 'mother-ruler'.

Break it down: `matri-` (mother) + `arch` (ruler, like in 'monarch'). A mother who rules.

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