different between matron vs dowager

English

Etymology

From Middle English matrone, from Old French matrone, from Latin m?tr?na (“married woman”), from m?ter (“mother”). Doublet of matrona.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?me?t??n/
• Rhymes: -e?t??n

Noun

matron (plural matrons)

1. A mature or elderly woman.

   • grave from her cradle, insomuch that she was a matron before she was a mother

2. A wife or a widow, especially, one who has borne children.
3. A woman of staid or motherly manners.
   • “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, […].

4. A housekeeper, especially, a woman who manages the domestic economy of a public institution.
5. A senior female nurse in an establishment, especially a hospital or school.

6. (US) A female prison officer.

Derived terms

Related terms

• matrona
• matroneum

Translations

References

matron in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

Anagrams

• Marton, Morant, Rotman, romant

English

Etymology

From Middle French douagere, douagiere, from douage (“dower”), from the verb douer (“to endow”), from Latin d?t?re (“to endow”), from d?s, d?tis ("dowry").

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?da??d??/
• (General American, Canada) IPA^(key): /?da??d??/

Noun

dowager (plural dowagers)

1. a widow holding property or title derived from her late husband

   • “I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle, brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers, the worn-out, passionless men, the enervated matrons of the summer capital, the chlorotic squatters on huge yachts, […]!”

2. any lady of dignified bearing

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

• dogwear, wordage