mata

or Ma·ta

[ mah-tuh, mah-tah ]

noun

, Indian English.

1. mother (also used as a polite term of address for any older woman):

   My mata regularly made me puris with potatoes for breakfast.

2. a female spiritual leader or the mother, grandmother, or wife of a male spiritual leader (also used as a title with the leader’s name):

   This temple was built as a tribute to Mata Sheetla Devi, wife of the famous Guru Dronacharya.

   The lodge owner turned out to be a mata whom the villagers visited to hear their astrological predictions.

3. a female deity (also used as a title with the deity’s name):

   He was a devotee writing about lord Rama and mata Sita.

   Cows are considered to be a manifestation of the goddess Gau Mata.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mata¹

First recorded in 1870–75; from Sanskrit mātā, nominative of mātṛ “mother”; mother ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Student Joel Mata acknowledged that Perez’s recent behavior “is not to be dismissed,” but asked school board members to focus on students’ testimony of his character.

From Los Angeles Times

Mata said that, counter to narratives being presented online, Perez does not force his beliefs on his students.

From Los Angeles Times

During his week in Manchester, Amorim joined Lindelof and Matic for lunch in the canteen and, after a busy day of learning, he was invited to dine with an impressed Mourinho at Juan Mata's restaurant in the city centre.

From BBC

Lourdes Mata and her daughter Erika Hernandez were at the meeting Tuesday to push the city to make the changes.

From Los Angeles Times

Mata has lived in her two-bedroom Echo Park apartment for 35 years and her landlord is trying for the third time to evict her under the substantial remodel exemption.

From Los Angeles Times