1. (n.) A wife or a widow, especially, one who has borne children; a woman of staid or motherly manners.

2. (n.) A housekeeper; esp., a woman who manages the domestic economy of a public institution; a head nurse in a hospital; as, the matron of a school or hospital.

Eve Frau abbess better half chatelaine common-law wife concubine dame daughter of Eve distaff domina donna dowager feme feme covert femme first lady frow gentlewoman girl goodwife goody governess grande dame great lady helpmate helpmeet homemaker housewife lady lass madam married woman matriarch milady mistress mother superior old lady old woman rib squaw vrouw wahine weaker vessel wedded wife wife woman