Meaning
A female leader of a family, a tribe or an ethnic or religious group.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
Of Latin origin, via or reinforced by Old French matriarche, from Latin māter (“mother”) + -archa, -arches, from Ancient Greek -άρχης (-árkhēs), from ἀρχός (arkhós, “chief”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ergʰ- (“to begin, rule, command”). By surface analysis, matri- + -arch.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
highfatherpaterfamiliaspatriarch
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram: