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

The look was inspired by Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan, and the World War I spy Mata Hari.

From The Daily Beast

But the evidence against Montero and Mata seemed like a slam-dunk.

From The Daily Beast

Mabille particularly likes Mata Hari or The Marquise de Montespan as women of intrigue.

From The Daily Beast

Here Mata did the family washing; dried daikon in winter, and sweet-potato slices in the summer sun.

From Project Gutenberg

She peered at first into Um's room for there, indeed, lay the core of old Mata's heart.

From Project Gutenberg

Kano heard a man's deep tones, Mata's thin voice answering an enquiry, and then the soft murmur of Um's words.

From Project Gutenberg

As Mata scolded, the girl nestled back among her quilts, smiling mischievously.

From Project Gutenberg

"I can give no time to your honorable fooling," cried Mata, in pretended anger.

From Project Gutenberg