Definition

Noun: A relative whose kinship connection is traced exclusively through the mother's line. This term refers to a group of people who are related to an individual through their mother, maternal grandmother, maternal great-grandmother, and so on.

Usage

The term is used in anthropology, genealogy, and sociology to describe familial relationships and inheritance systems based on the maternal line. * In some cultures, property and titles are passed down through one's matrilineal kin. * Her closest matrilineal kin include her mother, her mother's sisters, and her own sisters.

Advanced Usage

• Matrilineal kinship (noun phrase): Refers to the overall system or principle of tracing descent through the female line.
  • The society's structure is based on matrilineal kinship.

Variants and Related Words

• Matriline (noun): The line of descent traced through the mother.
• Matrilineal (adjective): Of or based on kinship with the mother or the female line.
  • a matrilineal society
• Matrilineally (adverb): In a matrilineal manner.
  • Descent is traced matrilineally.

Different Meanings

This term has a specific, technical meaning related to kinship and descent. It does not have other common, unrelated definitions.

Synonyms

• Enate (a less common, more technical synonym)
• Matrisib (a technical term in anthropology)
• Maternal relative

Antonyms

• Patrilineal kin (a relative related through the father's line)
• Agnatic kin (a technical term for relatives through the male line)

Noun

1. one related on the mother's side