matrifocal

From matri- +‎ focal.

matrifocal (comparative more matrifocal, superlative most matrifocal)

1. (anthropology, of family structures) Centered on the mother; matriarchal.
   • 2025 September 12, Molly Gorman, “'Was it all smoke and mirrors?': How adult children are affected by grey divorce”, in BBC‎^[1]:

     This pattern of children turning towards the mother after a divorce is known as the matrifocal tilt. For younger children, it can be a consequence of custody arrangements that leave the children with the mother. But studies across different countries, and spanning several decades, have also found this matrifocal tilt away from the father in grey divorces with grown-up children.

• IPA^(key): /matɾifoˈkal/ [ma.t̪ɾi.foˈkal]
• Rhymes: -al
• Syllabification: ma‧tri‧fo‧cal

matrifocal m or f (masculine and feminine plural matrifocales)

1. (anthropology) matrifocal