MATRIARCHY
\mˈatɹɪˌɑːki], \mˈatɹɪˌɑːki], \m_ˈa_t_ɹ_ɪ__ˌɑː_k_i]\
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a form of social organization in which a female is the family head and title is traced through the female line
By Princeton University
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a form of social organization in which a female is the family head and title is traced through the female line
By DataStellar Co., Ltd
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m[=a]'tri-är-ki, n. government by a mother or by mothers, esp. a primitive order of society existing in many Indian tribes, in which the mother takes precedence of the father in tracing line of descent and in inheritance: descent in the female line.--ns. M[=A]'TRIARCH, a woman in whom matriarchy rests: a patriarch's wife.--adj. MATRIAR'CHAL.--ns. MATRIAR'CHALISM, the character of possessing matriarchal customs; MATRIAR'CHATE, the position of a matriarch. [Gr. m[=e]t[=e]r, mother, archos, a ruler.]
By Thomas Davidson
