— matronal /may"treuh nl, ma"-/ , adj. — matronhood, matronship , n.
/may"treuhn/ , n.
1. a married woman, esp. one who is mature and staid or dignified and has an established social position.
2. a woman who has charge of the domestic affairs of a hospital, prison, or other institution.
3. a woman serving as a guard, warden, or attendant for women or girls, as in a prison.
[ 1350-1400; ME matrone matrona a married woman, wife, deriv. of mater mother ]