Definition

Noun: 1. A line of descent traced exclusively through the female line: Matrilineage refers to the principle or system of tracing kinship, ancestry, and inheritance through the mother's lineage. It focuses on the unbroken chain of mothers and their daughters.

Usage

• The term is used in anthropology, sociology, and history to describe specific familial and social structures.
• It denotes a system where family identity, clan membership, or property rights are passed down from a mother to her children.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• Matrilineal succession: The process of inheritance through the female line.
  • The kingdom practiced matrilineal succession, so the crown princess was the heir.
• Matrilineal descent group: A social group whose members are connected by matrilineage.
  • He belongs to a matrilineal descent group, so his primary kinship ties are to his mother's relatives.

Variants and Related Words

• Matrilineal (adjective): Relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the female line.
  • They have a matrilineal system for passing on family names.
• Matriliny (noun): The state of being matrilineal; a matrilineal system.
  • The tribe's social structure is characterized by matriliny.
• Patrilineage (noun): The counterpart, meaning a line of descent traced through the paternal side.

Synonyms

• Mother line
• Female line of descent
• Uterine descent (specifically through the same mother)

Notes

• Matrilineage is a specific anthropological term. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation but is essential for academic discussions about kinship.
• It is important not to confuse matrilineage (tracing descent) with matriarchy (a system where women hold primary power). A society can be matrilineal without being a matriarchy.

Noun

1. line of descent traced through the maternal side of the family