Matron — Defs

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

1.
A wife or a widow, especially, one who has borne children; a woman of staid or motherly manners.
“Your wives, your daughters, Your matrons, and your maids.” — Shak.

“Grave from her cradle, insomuch that she was a matron before she was a mother.” — Fuller.
2.
A housekeeper; esp., a woman who manages the domestic economy of a public instution; a head nurse in a hospital; as, the matron of a school or hospital.

Phrases & compounds

Jury of matrons — a jury of experienced women called to determine the question of pregnancy when set up in bar of execution, and for other cognate purposes.