matrilinear
Definition
Adjective: - Describing a system, lineage, or inheritance pattern that is based on or traces ancestry exclusively through the female line. It focuses on the mother, her mother, and so on.
Usage
This adjective is used in anthropological, historical, and sociological contexts to describe kinship, succession, or cultural practices.
- It typically modifies nouns like system, descent, kinship, inheritance, society, and lineage.
- The term is formal and academic.
Examples
- The anthropologist studied a matrilinear society where property and clan membership passed from mother to daughter.
- Their family name follows a matrilinear tradition, so children take their mother's surname.
- Evidence suggests that some ancient cultures had matrilinear descent systems.
Advanced Usage
- Matrilinear vs. Matrilineal: In academic writing, is the more common and preferred term. is a valid synonym but is used less frequently. The meaning is identical.
- Contrast with Patrilinear: This term is often used in contrast to (tracing descent through the male line) to highlight different social structures.
Variants and Related Words
- Matrilineal (adj): The more frequently used synonym for .
- Matriline (n): The line of descent traced through the female line.
- Matriliny (n): The state of having a matrilineal system.
- Matriarchal (adj): Relating to a form of social organization where women hold primary power. (Note: This is related but not synonymous; a society can be matrilinear without being matriarchal.)
Synonyms
- Matrilineal (adj): Tracing descent through the female line.
- Uterine (adj, formal): Related through the mother's side of the family. (Note: This is a narrower term, often referring to siblings sharing the same mother but not necessarily the same father.)
Antonyms
- Patrilinear (adj): Tracing descent through the male line.
- Patrilineal (adj): The more common synonym for .
- Agnatic (adj, formal): Related through male descent or on the father's side.
Adjective
-
based on or tracing descent through the female line
-
matrilineal inheritance
-
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
