Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

matriliny

Noun

/ˌmætrɪˈlɪni/

Definition

A system of lineage in which ancestry is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors.

Examples

In matriliny societies, property is often passed down from mothers to daughters.
The matriliny system can influence the roles women play in familial decisions.

Meaning

Matriliny refers to a social structure where inheritance and family ties are determined through the female line, often leading to the daughter being the primary inheritor of property and social status.