n.
- a woman in charge of domestic and medical arrangements at a boarding school or other establishment.
▸Brit. the woman in charge of the nursing in a hospital (official term now senior nursing officer).
▸chiefly US a female prison officer.
- a married woman, typically one who is dignified or staid.
Derivative
- matronhood n.
- matronly adj.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. matrone, from L. matrona, from mater, matr- ‘mother’.
