MATRILINEAR Meaning and
Definition
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Matrilinear refers to a social or cultural system in which descent, inheritance, or the passing down of rights and titles is traced through the female line. It pertains to a society or kinship group where the female line is given more importance in terms of determining lineage, authority, and inheritance, compared to the male line.
In a matrilinear system, the family structure and inheritance are based on the mother's ancestry, rather than the father's. This means that children often bear their mother's last name, and property or wealth is typically passed down from mother to daughter. Matrilinear societies tend to be organized around female authority figures, such as the mother, grandmother, or other female elders, who hold positions of power and decision-making within the community.
Matrilinear systems can be found in various cultures throughout history, such as certain Indigenous cultures in North America, Africa, and Oceania. They provide a contrast to patrilinear societies, where lineage and inheritance are traced through the male line.
It is important to distinguish matrilinear from matriarchal, as the latter refers to a social system where women hold dominant roles or positions of power, regardless of the descent or inheritance structure. Matrilinear societies can be either matriarchal or patriarchal, depending on the distribution of power and authority within the community.
Common Misspellings for MATRILINEAR
- natrilinear
- katrilinear
- jatrilinear
- mztrilinear
- mstrilinear
- mwtrilinear
- mqtrilinear
- marrilinear
- mafrilinear
- magrilinear
- mayrilinear
- ma6rilinear
- ma5rilinear
- mateilinear
- matdilinear
- matfilinear
- mattilinear
- mat5ilinear
- mat4ilinear
Etymology of MATRILINEAR
The word "matrilinear" is derived from the combination of two Latin roots: "mater" meaning "mother" and "linea" meaning "line". "Matrilinear" refers to a social system or kinship system in which descent is traced through the female line. It describes a cultural practice where inheritance, family lineages, and social status are passed down primarily through the maternal side of the family.
Similar spelling words for MATRILINEAR
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