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Webster 1913 Edition


Matron

Ma′tron

,
Noun.
[F.
matrone
, L.
matrona
, fr.
mater
mother. See
Mother
.]
1.
A wife or a widow, especially, one who has borne children; a woman of staid or motherly manners.
Your wives, your daughters,
Your
matrons
, and your maids.
Shakespeare
Grave from her cradle, insomuch that she was a
matron
before she was a mother.
Fuller.
2.
A housekeeper; esp., a woman who manages the domestic economy of a public instution; a head nurse in a hospital;
as, the
matron
of a school or hospital
.
Jury of matrons
(Law)
,
a jury of experienced women called to determine the question of pregnancy when set up in bar of execution, and for other cognate purposes.

Webster 1828 Edition


Matron

MAT'RON

,
Noun.
[L. matrona; from mater, mother.]
An elderly married woman, or an elderly lady.

Definition 2024


matron

matron

English

Noun

matron (plural matrons)

  1. A mature woman; a wife or a widow, especially, one who has borne children; a woman of staid or motherly manners.
    • William Shakespeare (c.1564–1616)
      your wives, your daughters, your matrons, and your maids
    • Thomas Fuller (1606-1661)
      grave from her cradle, insomuch that she was a matron before she was a mother
    • 1907, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, “chapter IX”, in The Younger Set (Project Gutenberg; EBook #14852), New York, N.Y.: A. L. Burt Company, published 1 February 2005 (Project Gutenberg version), OCLC 4241346:
      “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; and she looked it, always trim and trig and smooth of surface like a converted yacht cleared for action. Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, [].
  2. A housekeeper; especially, a woman who manages the domestic economy of a public institution; a head nurse in a hospital.
    the matron of a school or hospital

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