materfamilias

noun

ma·​ter·​fa·​mil·​i·​as ˌmā-tər-fə-ˈmi-lē-əs 

ˌmä-

: a woman who is head of a household

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The novel recounts the history and hardships of the Binewski clan, carnival folk whose pater- and materfamilias, Al and Crystal Lil, create their own freak show. —Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2022

But with tact and humanity, this materfamilias has still calmed the waters. —Boyd Van Hoeij, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Oct. 2019

Though the Roundabout production, which opened on Tuesday evening, stars Elizabeth McGovern as the materfamilias, the story really is Kay’s. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from mater + familias, archaic genitive of familia household — more at family

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above