matriarch

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ma=tri=arch

CIDE DICTIONARY

matriarch, n. [L. mater mother + -arch.].

•  The mother and ruler of a family or of her descendants; a ruler by maternal right.  [1913 Webster]
•  A woman who dominates or is the most important member of a group or organization; in businesses, often the founder or owner of the largest interest.  [PJC]
•  A venerated old woman.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

matriarch, n. a woman who is the head of a family or tribe.

Derivative

matriarchal adj.

Etymology

L mater mother, on the false analogy of PATRIARCH

THESAURUS

matriarch

Methuselah, abbess, antediluvian, antique, back number, chatelaine, conservative, dad, dam, dame, dodo, dowager, elder, first lady, fogy, fossil, foster mother, fud, fuddy-duddy, genetrix, goodwife, governess, grande dame, granny, great lady, has-been, homemaker, housewife, longhair, ma, madam, mam, mama, mammy, mater, materfamilias, maternal ancestor, matron, mid-Victorian, mistress, mom, mommy, mossback, mother, mother superior, mummy, old believer, old crock, old dodo, old fogy, old liner, old man, old poop, old woman, old-timer, patriarch, pop, pops, reactionary, regular old fogy, relic, square, starets, stepmother, the old woman, traditionalist