matrilineal

The definition of matrilineal is a relative, behavior or other characteristic that is traced through a mother's lineage.

(adjective)

An example of matrilineal is someone being half Italian because their mother is Italian.

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See matrilineal in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

designating or of descent, kinship, or derivation through the mother

Origin: matri- + lineal

Related Forms:

See matrilineal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
Relating to, based on, or tracing ancestral descent through the maternal line.

Related Forms:

  • matˌri·linˈe·al·ly adverb

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