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Matron vs Matronal - What's the difference?

matron | matronal |

As a noun matron

is a mature woman; a wife or a widow, especially, one who has borne children; a woman of staid or motherly manners.

As an adjective matronal is

of, or pertaining to, a matron.

matron

English

(Webster 1913)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A mature woman; a wife or a widow, especially, one who has borne children; a woman of staid or motherly manners.
  • *(William Shakespeare) (c.1564–1616)
  • *:your wives, your daughters, your matrons , and your maids
  • *(Thomas Fuller) (1606-1661)
  • *:grave from her cradle, insomuch that she was a matron before she was a mother
  • *
  • *:“A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron ; and she looked it, always trim and trig and smooth of surface like a converted yacht cleared for action. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable,.
  • A housekeeper; especially, a woman who manages the domestic economy of a public institution; a head nurse in a hospital.
  • :
  • matronal

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Of, or pertaining to, a matron.