materfamilias

 
Pronunciation: /ˌmeɪtəfəˈmɪlɪas/

noun (plural matresfamilias /ˌmeɪtriːz-/)

  • the female head of a family or household. Compare with paterfamilias.

Origin:

Latin, from mater 'mother' + familias, old genitive form of familia 'family'