matriarchy Hear it!

matriarchy definition

ma·tri·archy (-är′kē)

noun pl. matriarchies -·arch′·ies

  1. a form of social organization in which the mother is recognized as the head of the family or tribe, descent and kinship being traced through the mother
  2. government, rule, or domination by women

Etymology: matri- + -archy

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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