noun
- The female head of a household or family; a mother who is the principal authority in a family.
Usage: formal or literary; from Latin
Examples
- The materfamilias of the estate managed all household affairs with remarkable efficiency.
- In many traditional cultures, the materfamilias held significant authority over family decisions.
- She served as the materfamilias, ensuring that all family members were cared for and educated.
- The novel portrays a strong materfamilias who guided her children through difficult times.
- As materfamilias, she controlled the family finances and property.