matriarchate

[ mey-tree-ahr-kit, -keyt ]

noun

1. a matriarchal system or community.
2. a social order formerly believed to have preceded patriarchal tribal society in the early period of human communal life, embodying rule by the mothers, or by all adult women.

matriarchate

/ -keɪt; ˈmeɪtrɪˌɑːkɪt /

noun

1. rare.
   a family or people under female domination or government

Word History and Origins

Origin of matriarchate¹

First recorded in 1880–85; matriarch + -ate ³

Example Sentences

Almost, it might be said, it began in the beginning, and no doubt before the matriarchate period women were striving toward liberty, only to lose it after having for a while dominated man.

From Project Gutenberg

It was never patriarchate alone, nor yet solely matriarchate.

From Project Gutenberg

Much of the discredit that has fallen on the matriarchate has arisen, I am certain, through the impossibility of accepting Bachofen’s mythical account of its origin.

From Project Gutenberg

Fu-hi introduced matrimony; and in so doing he placed man as the husband at the head of the family and abolished the original matriarchate.

From Project Gutenberg

We find both the matriarchate and patriarchate family; and we may observe the greatest difference in the conduct of the parents in their care of offspring.

From Project Gutenberg