matriliny: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “matriliny” mean?
The system of tracing descent, inheritance, and social identity through the female line.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The system of tracing descent, inheritance, and social identity through the female line.
A kinship system in which lineage is passed down from mothers to their children, often involving matrilocal residence and significant roles for maternal uncles in familial and social structures. It is a key concept in anthropological studies of kinship and social organization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, confined primarily to academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “matriliny” in a Sentence
N/AVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Common in anthropology, sociology, and gender studies to describe kinship systems and social structures.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used as a precise term in anthropological literature and kinship studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “matriliny”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “matriliny”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “matriliny”
- Confusing matriliny with matriarchy or matrilocality.
- Misspelling as 'matrilineage' or using 'matrilineal' when the noun form is required.
- Using in non-academic contexts where simpler terms like 'mother's side' would be more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Matriliny is a social system in which family lineage, inheritance, and social identity are traced through the mother's line.
No, matriliny specifically refers to descent through the female line, while matriarchy denotes a system where women hold primary political and social power.
Matriliny is still practiced in some societies, such as the Minangkabau in Indonesia, the Khasi in India, and the Akan in Ghana.
In matrilineal societies, children belong to the mother's kinship group, inheritance passes from mother to children (often to daughters), and maternal uncles may play key roles in child-rearing and decision-making.
The system of tracing descent, inheritance, and social identity through the female line.
Matriliny is usually formal, academic in register.
Matriliny: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmæt.rɪ.lɪ.ni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmeɪ.trə.lɪ.ni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'maternal' (mother) and 'line' – tracing the family line through the mother.
Conceptual Metaphor
The family tree grows from the mother's roots.
Practice
Quiz
What does matriliny refer to?