mater-, matri-, matro- matr- +

1. Literally, bounteous mother, a title given by the Romans to several goddesses associated with abundance.
2. "Nourishing mother" or "foster mother".
3. The school, college, or university that someone formerly attended.
4. A song used as the anthem of a school, college, or university.

The Romans used this term to refer to various goddesses, such as Ceres, goddess of growing vegetation [especially, cereal] to Cybele, a nature goddess; and to other bounteous goddesses.

The symbolism is that the old school, university, or college is the bounteous fostering mother of all of its graduates.

1. The tough outermost membrane of the three that cover the brain and the spinal cord.
2. Etymology: the "tough outer membrane surrounding the brain"; from about 1400, from Middle Latan dura mater cerebri; literally, "hard mother of the brain".

1. Used in the UK for mother.
2. The Latin word mater is the source of English madrigal, material, maternal, matriculate, matrimony, matrix, matron, and matter.

Its ultimate Indo-European ancestor also produced English metropolis and mother.

1. Literally, "mother of the family".
2. The female head of a family, household, tribe, etc.
3. A woman described in her role as head of a household or as the mother of her children.

1. Belonging or relating to motherhood, a mother, or mothers in general.
2. Kind, caring, and protective in a motherly way.
3. Relating to or inherited from the mother or the mother's side of a family

The sister of one's mother.

Dystocia (difficult delivery or process of birth) caused by an abnormality or physical problem in the mother.

In a maternal manner or as a mother.

1. The condition of being a mother.
2. The characteristics and emotions traditionally associated with being a mother such as loving kindness and protectiveness.
3. A ward, floor, or other section of a hospital where mothers and newborn babies are cared for.

A mother's brother who is the uncle of her children.

Of or pertaining to a matriarch or to maternal rule; pertaining to, of the nature of, or based on matriarchy.

1. A woman who is recognized as being the head of a family, community, or people.
2. A woman, usually a grandmother, who is highly respected by her family and to whom the family turns for advice and help.
3. A woman who holds a position of dominance,, or respect.
4. A woman having the status corresponding to that of a patriarch, in every sense of the word.

1. Used to describe a society in which power and property are held by women and handed down through matrilineal descent.
2. Controlled or dominated by women.
3. Showing strength and assurance as the most respected woman in a group.
4. Relating to a matriarch or to matriarchs in general.

A matriarchal community or system.

That form of social organization in which the mother, and not the father, is the head of the family, and in which descent and relationship are reckoned through mothers and not through fathers.