MATRILINEALLY Meaning and
Definition
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Matrilineally is an adverb that relates to or is characterized by the system of tracing descent or lineage through the female line. It refers to a social, cultural, or biological structure where family ties, inheritance, kinship, or lineage is primarily or exclusively determined through the maternal line.
In a matrilineal society or culture, individuals inherit their family name, property, titles, and social status through their mother's lineage, rather than the paternal line. It emphasizes the importance of the mother's side of the family in determining kinship, familial relationships, and inheritance patterns.
This term is commonly used in anthropology, sociology, and other social sciences to describe societies or groups where the descent, family structure, and inheritance practices are based on the female line. It is the inverse of patrilineal, where descent and inheritance are traced through the male line.
Examples of societies that have or had matrilineal systems include certain Native American tribes, such as the Hopi and Iroquois, parts of Africa like the Mosuo of China or the Minangkabau of Indonesia, and historical cultures like the ancient Egyptian civilization. In these societies, women often hold important roles in the community, and family bonds are typically centered around the mother's side.
Overall, matrilineally is an adverb that describes the cultural, social, or biological practice of tracing descent or inheritance through the female line.
Common Misspellings for MATRILINEALLY
Etymology of MATRILINEALLY
The word "matrilineally" is derived from two main components: "matrilineal" and the suffix "-ly".
The term "matrilineal" comes from the combination of two Latin words: "mater" meaning "mother" and "linea" meaning "line". Therefore, "matrilineal" refers to a social system in which descent or inheritance is traced through the female line, meaning that individuals belong to their mother's lineage or family.
The suffix "-ly" is a common adverbial suffix in English, used to derive adverbs from adjectives. In this case, "-ly" is added to "matrilineal" to signify that something is done or happening in a matrilineal manner. So, "matrilineally" means to do or relate to something in a matrilineal way, such as tracing lineage or maintaining inheritance through the maternal line.
Similar spelling words for MATRILINEALLY
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