used to describe the relationship between mother and children that continues in a family with each generation, or something that is based on this relationship 母系的；基于母系的 She traced her family history by matrilineal descent (= starting with her mother, her mother's mother, etc.). 她按母系血统追溯她的家族史。 🔊🔊
Word Originearly 20th cent.: from Latin mater, matr- ‘mother’ + lineal.