matrilineal
UK[ˌmætrɪˈlɪniəl]US[ˌmeɪtrɪˈlɪniəl]
adj
Relating to or based on kinship with the mother or the female line.
Morpheme Breakdown
matri
lineal
matri
mother
lineal
line
Etymology
The word "matrilineal" is a modern anthropological compound, formed in English from classical elements. The first part, "matri-", derives from the Latin māter, meaning "mother," which itself originates from the Proto-Indo-European root méh₂tēr-. The second part, "lineal," comes from the Latin līnea (a linen thread, string, line), from līnum (flax). The concept literally means "of the mother's line," describing a system where descent, inheritance, or social identity is traced exclusively through the female lineage. This term contrasts with its counterpart "patrilineal," showcasing how ancient roots for family and measurement were combined to create precise technical vocabulary in the social sciences.
Analysis
Structure: matri (mother) + lineal (line)
- matri: From Latin māter (mother). A combining form meaning "mother" in English.
- lineal: From Latin līneālis (pertaining to a line), from līnea (line). An adjective-forming suffix meaning "relating to a line."
Examples
Many indigenous tribes in North America have a matrilineal system, where property and clan membership are passed down through the mother.
The study focused on matrilineal inheritance patterns in the community.
In a matrilineal society, a person's primary kinship ties are with their mother's relatives.