matricide

[ ma-tri-sahyd, mey- ]

noun

1. the act of killing one's mother.
2. a person who kills their mother.

matricide

/ ˈmeɪ-; ˈmætrɪˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the act of killing one's own mother
2. a person who kills his mother

Derived Forms

• ˌmatriˈcidal, adjective

Other Words From

• matri·cidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of matricide¹

First recorded 1585–95; from Latin mātricīdium matricide ( def 1 ), mātricīda matricide ( def 2 ); matri-, -cide

Word History and Origins

Origin of matricide¹

C16: from Latin mātrīcīdium (the act), mātrīcīda (the agent). See matri- , -cide

Example Sentences

“Guys,” he said from the recording booth, “I don’t know that we should be talking about sending babies to the electric chair. Maybe we could just do ‘Should a baby get tried for matricide?’”

From Los Angeles Times

It is a penetrating and restrained portrait of a matricide trial that will leave you moved and changed.

From Seattle Times

Add matricide and an incendiary time period, and you have Beverly Lowry’s new book, “Deer Creek Drive: A Reckoning of Memory and Murder in the Mississippi Delta.”

From Washington Post

It is a prequel and third sequel and has Norman Bates calling in to a radio talk show whose subject is matricide, or murdering one’s mother.

From Los Angeles Times

Lamb Rated R for matricide, patricide and kidnapping.

From New York Times