ˈmā.trēˌärk, -ˌȧk noun
( -s )
Etymology: matr- + -arch
: a woman (as the mother of a family) having a status like that of a patriarch: as
a.
(1) : a woman that rules often autocratically and usually to the exclusion of male precedence over her immediate family or a larger group made up of her more remote descendants
(2) : a woman that originates, rules over, or dominates a social group or an activity or a political entity
b. : a woman of great age and dignity