n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Your wives, your daughters,
Your matrons, and your maids. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Grave from her cradle, insomuch that she was a matron before she was a mother. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The state of a matron. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The collective body of matrons. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Can a politician slight the feelings and convictions of the whole matronage of his country? Hare. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. matronalis. ] Of or pertaining to a matron; suitable to an elderly lady or to a married woman; grave; motherly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being a matron. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Matronized p. pr. & vb. n. Matronizing ] 1. To make a matron of; to make matronlike. [ 1913 Webster ]

Childbed matronizes the giddiest spirits. Richardson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To act the part of a matron toward; to superintend; to chaperone; as, to matronize an assembly. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like a matron; sedate; grave; matronly. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Advanced in years; elderly. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Like, or befitting, a matron; grave; sedate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. mater mother + -nymic, as in patronimic. ] See Metronymic. [ 1913 Webster ]