matronly etymology

Etymology

The word "matronly" originated in Old French, where it was spelled "matrone," from the Latin "matrona," meaning "married woman" or "mother of a family."

Meaning

• Having the characteristics or qualities typically associated with an older woman, such as dignity, respectability, or a mature appearance.
• Relating to or appropriate for a wife or mother.

Origin

The term "matrona" was used in ancient Rome to refer to married women of high status who had children. These women were highly respected and played an important role in Roman society.

Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include any older woman who displayed the same qualities of dignity and respectability. In the 16th century, the word "matronly" was first used in English to describe the qualities of such women.

Modern Usage

Today, the word "matronly" is often used in a positive sense to describe older women who embody the traditional values of motherhood and homemaking. However, it can also be used in a more negative sense to refer to women who are perceived as being too prudish or old-fashioned.

matronly relate terms

• matron

  Etymology From Middle English matrone from Old French matrone from Latin matrōna m

• mother

  Etymology The word mother is derived from the Proto Indo European root m āter meanin

• lich

  Etymology Middle English liche from Old English līc body corpse derived from P

• like

  Etymology is the study of the origin of words and how their meaning has changed over time

• madam

  Etymology The word madam comes from French where it is pronounced ma dam It is deri

• oppression

  Etymology The word oppression comes from the Latin word oppressio which means actio

• interpret

  Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing the word ba

• money

  Etymology The word money comes from the Latin word moneta which was the name of the

• tantalize

  Etymology Middle English tantelize tantalyze Late Latin tantalizare Greek Tantalizein

• ampersand

  Etymology The ampersand symbol amp is a ligature a combination of two or more lette

• sustain

  Etymology Latin sustinēre to hold up sustain endure Proto Indo European steh₂

• recreation

  Etymology The word recreation derives from the Latin recreatio meaning restoration

• conspicuous

  Etymology Conspicuous originates from the Latin word conspicuus which means visible

• will

  Etymology Will derives from the Old English word wille which meant desire or choice