n.1 a married woman, esp. a dignified and sober one.
2 a woman managing the domestic arrangements of a school etc.
3 Brit. a woman in charge of the nursing in a hospital.
Usage:
Now usu. called senior nursing officer.
Phrases and idioms:
matron of honour a married woman attending the bride at a wedding.
Derivatives:
matronhood n.
Etymology: ME f. OF matrone f. L matrona f. mater matris mother