means A married or older woman of respected standing, especially one who supervises others — in a hospital, school, or institution.

from From Latin matrona, 'married woman, lady,' built on mater, 'mother' — the same ancient root that gives us maternal, matrimony, and matter (in the sense of substance, the 'mother-stuff' of things). It reached English through Old French matrone, carrying that maternal authority intact: not just a mother by blood, but a woman whose word ran a household — and later a ward.