MATRIARCHAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does matriarchal mean? 

• MATRIARCHAL (adjective)
  The adjective MATRIARCHAL has 1 sense:

1. characteristic of a matriarchy

  Familiarity information: MATRIARCHAL used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MATRIARCHAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characteristic of a matriarchy

Similar:

matriarchic ((of societies or families) having a female as the family head or having descent traced through the female line)

matricentric (centered upon the mother)

Also:

maternal (characteristic of a mother)

Antonym:

patriarchal (characteristic of a form of social organization in which the male is the family head and title is traced through the male line)

Derivation:

matriarchy (a form of social organization in which a female is the family head and title is traced through the female line)