matriarch

Noun
US[mey-tree-ahrk]/ˈmeɪtriˌɑrk/3 syllables
Synonyms: materfamilias

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)

  1. a female head of a family or tribeSynonyms: materfamiliasType of woman, head of household
  2. a feisty older woman with a big bosom (as drawn in cartoons)Type of woman, adult female
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

ma′tri·arch noun

Origin: L. mater mother + -arch.

1. The mother and ruler of a family or of her descendants; a ruler by maternal right.

2. 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.

3. A venerated old woman.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: GCIDE editors

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