n. 1. A married woman or a widow, especially a mother of dignity, mature age, and established social position. 2. A woman who acts as a supervisor or monitor in a public institution, such as a school, hospital, or prison. [Middle English matrone, from Old French, from Latin mātrōna, from māter, mātr-, mother; see māter- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] matron·al adj. matron·li·ness n. matron·ly adv. & adj. |
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