matricide

noun

ma·​tri·​cide ˈma-trə-ˌsīd How to pronounce matricide (audio) ˈmā- How to pronounce matricide (audio)
1
[Latin matricidium, from matr- + -cidium -cide] : murder of a mother by her son or daughter
2
[Latin matricida, from matr- + -cida -cide] : one that murders his or her mother
matricidal adjective

Examples of matricide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web However, Daniel's hold over Luke proves to be strong, and almost leads him to commit matricide. Amy MacKelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 24 Sep. 2022 The reasons were vague, the usual grab bag of crimes—matricide, acting, that sort of thing. Gaia Squarci, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2020 And on down through matricide, wife-killing and a string of other high crimes and misdemeanors. Gaia Squarci, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2020 Even the episode involving matricide – at the extremity of possible wrongdoing – was not clear-cut. The Washington Post, The Mercury News, 18 June 2019 Even the episode involving matricide — at the extremity of possible wrongdoing — was not clear-cut. BostonGlobe.com, 18 June 2019 The investigation into alleged matricide began Friday, with a straightforward missing persons report. Matthew Ormseth, courant.com, 10 June 2018 There are two murders on camera and innumerable others referred to including a matricide. Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 June 2017 Yet Western culture has been haunted for millennia by the wretched House of Atreus – cursed through the generations with fratricide, patricide, filicide, mariticide, and matricide. Steven G. Kellman, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'matricide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of matricide was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near matricide

Cite this Entry

“Matricide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matricide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

matricide

noun
ma·​tri·​cide ˈma-trə-ˌsīd How to pronounce matricide (audio) ˈmā- How to pronounce matricide (audio)
1
: murder of a mother by her child
2
: one that murders his or her mother
matricidal adjective

Medical Definition

matricide

noun
ma·​tri·​cide ˈma-trə-ˌsīd How to pronounce matricide (audio) ˈmā- How to pronounce matricide (audio)
1
: murder of a mother by her son or daughter
2
: one that murders his or her mother

Legal Definition

matricide

noun
mat·​ri·​cide ˈma-trə-ˌsīd How to pronounce matricide (audio)
1
: the murder of a mother by her son or daughter
2
[Latin matricida, from matr- + -cida killer] : a person who murders his or her mother
Etymology

Latin matricidium, from matr- mater mother + -cidium killing

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