noun

matriarch

matriarch

She is the matriarch of the family.

She is the matriarch of the family.

The elephant herd is led by a matriarch.

The elephant herd is led by a matriarch.

((countable noun)) a woman who is the head of a family or tribe. The family's matriarch made all the decisions.

Synonyms: female head, grande dame; Antonyms: patriarch

From Greek 'mater' (mother) + 'arkhein' (to rule), meaning 'mother-ruler'.

Break it down: 'matri-' (mother, like in maternal) + '-arch' (ruler, like in monarch).

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