matrescent

M3A1T1R1E1S1C3E1N1T1

adjective

Exhibiting matrescence; becoming a mother.

OriginLatin mātrēscēns →
Scrabble 14
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Meanings

adjective
  1. Exhibiting matrescence; becoming a mother.

    Breastfeeding mothers are therefore in a matrescent state […]

    2020, Claire Arnold-Baker, The Existential Crisis of Motherhood, Springer Nature, →ISBN, page 48
    4 more examples

    On the other hand, the constancy of others around her could indicate a reluctance on their part to allow her the full matrescent role.

    1975, Dana Raphael, Being Female: Reproduction, Power, and Change, Walter de Gruyter, →ISBN, page 68

    In reality, the matrescent/patrescent periods represent a far more complex set of behaviors, full of stress as well as joy.

    1993, Barbara Katz Rothman, Encyclopedia of Childbearing: Critical Perspectives, Greenwood Publishing Group, →ISBN, page 243

    These actions can be seen as matrescent in the sense of 'mothering', nurturing and protecting work colleagues.

    2017, Denis Walsh, Sheila Kitzinger, Norman Ellis, Improving Maternity Services: The Epidemiologically Based Needs Assessment Reviews, Vol 2, CRC Press, →ISBN

    PhotoVoice is not considered a therapeutic practice but has been shown to be a beneficial photographic practice for matrescent women.

    2020, Susan Hogan, Therapeutic Arts in Pregnancy, Birth and New Parenthood, Routledge, →ISBN
  2. Pertaining to those who are becoming mothers.

    Conceptualizing birth centre care as 'gift' enables some fleshing out of the characteristics of matrescent care when enacted in the professional/woman ...

    2011, Rosamund Bryar, Marlene Sinclair, Theory for Midwifery Practice, Macmillan International Higher Education, →ISBN, page 192
    1 more example

    Matrescent care, understood in this way, incorporates an ethical disposition. If authentic, it would manifest more broadly than in just relationships with ...

    2013, Denis Walsh, Soo Downe, Intrapartum Care, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN, page 2003

Origin

  1. Latinmātrēscēns
  2. Englishmatrescent

Ultimately from Latin mātrēscēns, mātrēscō (“to become a mother”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

matrescent. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/matrescent

MLA

“matrescent.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/matrescent. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “matrescent,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/matrescent.

Source: matrescent on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.