matronize

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From matron +‎ -ize.

Verb

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matronize (third-person singular simple present matronizes, present participle matronizing, simple past and past participle matronized)

  1. (transitive) To make a matron of; to make matron-like.
    • 1741-1755, Samuel Richardson, The Familiar Letters
      Childbed matronizes the giddiest spirits.
  2. (transitive) To act the part of a matron toward; to superintend or chaperone.
    to matronize an assembly
  3. (transitive, sometimes derogatory) To criticize from a feminist perspective.
    to matronize female artists for sexploitation
  4. (transitive, sometimes derogatory) Of a woman: to patronize or be condescending towards.