matronlikeadj.

?1571 tr. G. Buchanan Detectioun Marie Quene of Scottes sig. Bj Sche neuer kept any regard, I will nat say of Quenelike maiestie, bot nat of matronelike modestie.

?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 118 Their daunces were..matronelyke, mouing scarce little or nothing in their gestures at all.

1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. xvi. 281 The husband shold labour to reforme his wife; to..frame her to discretion, sobrietie, al matron-like vertues, & all godlinesse.

1642 J. Howell Instr. Forreine Travell ii. 17 Whereas Religion should go array'd in a grave Matron-like habit, they have clad her rather like a wanton Courtisane in light dresses.

a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1645 (1955) II. 448 Two Matron-like servants or old women to support them.

1710 J. Addison Tatler No. 120. ⁋5 The Front of it was raised on Corinthian Pillars, with all the meretricious Ornaments that accompany that Order; whereas that of the other was composed of the chaste and matron-like Ionic.

1749 L. Pilkington Mem. (new ed.) I. 80 The Dean shewed me into a little Street-Parlour..where sat his Housekeeper, a matron-like Gentlewoman, at work.

a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. (1981) 31 A grave, sensible, Matron-like Quaker-Woman.

1854 Ladies' Repository Feb. 65 When matrons, or matronlike maids, they will not dress like girls.

1996 Weekly Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) (Electronic ed.) 22 Mar. Prematurely matronlike (she is only in her mid-forties) with a bonnet of unstyled grey curls framing her features.