M / mātrix
noun

mātrix

gen. mātrīcis · gender feminine · decl. 3rd
a mother
a mother in respect to propagation (in lit. signif. not used of women).
a breeding-animal; breeding-cows; breeding-ewes
Lit., a breeding-animal: of breeding-cows, Varr. R. R. 2, 5, 12; of breeding-ewes, Col. 7, 3, 12; of laying-hens, id. 8, 2, 6; 8, 5, 11.—
by extension
the parent-stem
Of plants, the parent-stem, Suet. Aug. 94.—
The womb, matrix
The womb, matrix (late Lat.): matricis dolor, Veg. Vet. 2, 17, 5; Sen. Contr. 2, 13, 6.—
A public register, list, roll
A public register, list, roll: in matricibus beneficiariorum, Tert. Fug. in Persec. 12.—
a source, origin, cause; an appellation of Venus figuratively
Trop., a source, origin, cause (cf. mater, II.; eccl. Lat.): Eva matrix generis feminini, the progenitress, Tert. Virg. Vel. 5: primordialis lex data Adae, quasi matrix omnium praeceptorum Dei, id. adv. Jud. 2; id. adv. Haer. 21: matrix et origo cunctorum, id. adv. Valent. 7.—As an appellation of Venus, Inscr. Orell, 1373.