English edit

Etymology edit

From matriarch +‎ -ate, after patriarchate.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

matriarchate (plural matriarchates)

  1. A matriarchal system or community. [from 19th c.]
    • 1990, Camille Paglia, Sexual Personae:
      Like Byron's seraglio, the boudoir is a matriarchate guarded by eunuchs […].
  2. The position of a matriarch.

Usage notes edit

In the context of political science, this term would describe a kind of polity.

Translations edit

See also edit