matron

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmeɪtr(ə)n/

noun

  • 1British a woman in charge of domestic and medical arrangements at a boarding school or other institution: she initiated training for matrons of residential homes [as name]: ‘This is preposterous,’ sighed Matron
  • British the woman in charge of the nursing in a hospital (the official term is now senior nursing officer): she had been matron of a Belgian Hospital
  • US a female prison officer.
  • 2an older married woman, especially one who is staid or dignified: respectable suburban matrons

Derivatives

matronhood

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (in matron (sense 2)): from Old French matrone, from Latin matrona, from mater, matr- 'mother'