matricide
noun
ma·tri·cide
ˈma-trə-ˌsīd
ˈmā-
1
[Latin matricidium, from matr- + -cidium -cide]
: murder of a mother by her son or daughter
2
[Latin matricida, from matr- + -cida -cide]
: one that murders his or her mother
Examples of matricide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, Daniel's hold over Luke proves to be strong, and almost leads him to commit matricide.
—Amy MacKelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 24 Sep. 2022
The reasons were vague, the usual grab bag of crimes—matricide, acting, that sort of thing.
—Gaia Squarci, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2020
And on down through matricide, wife-killing and a string of other high crimes and misdemeanors.
—Gaia Squarci, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2020
Even the episode involving matricide – at the extremity of possible wrongdoing – was not clear-cut.
—The Washington Post, The Mercury News, 18 June 2019
Even the episode involving matricide — at the extremity of possible wrongdoing — was not clear-cut.
—BostonGlobe.com, 18 June 2019
The investigation into alleged matricide began Friday, with a straightforward missing persons report.
—Matthew Ormseth, courant.com, 10 June 2018
There are two murders on camera and innumerable others referred to including a matricide.
—Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 June 2017
Yet Western culture has been haunted for millennia by the wretched House of Atreus – cursed through the generations with fratricide, patricide, filicide, mariticide, and matricide.
—Steven G. Kellman, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 June 2017
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Word History
First Known Use
1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near matricide
Cite this Entry
“Matricide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matricide. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
matricide
noun
ma·tri·cide
ˈma-trə-ˌsīd
ˈmā-
1
: murder of a mother by her child
2
: one that murders his or her mother
Medical Definition
matricide
noun
ma·tri·cide
ˈma-trə-ˌsīd
ˈmā-
1
: murder of a mother by her son or daughter
2
: one that murders his or her mother
Legal Definition
matricide
noun
mat·ri·cide
ˈma-trə-ˌsīd
1
: the murder of a mother by her son or daughter
2
[Latin matricida, from matr- + -cida killer]
: a person who murders his or her mother
Etymology
Latin matricidium, from matr-, mater mother + -cidium killing
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