2. metaph., from the proverbial unkindness of stepmothers, Is. 12.5; ἐδικαίευ εἶναι καὶ τῷ ἔργῳ μ., i. e. not only in name, but in reality, Hdt.4.154; ἀλλότε μητρυιὴ πέλει ἡμέρη, ἀλλότε μήτηρ, of unlucky and lucky days, Hes.Op.825; μ. νεῶν, of a dangerous coast, A.Pr.727; τρεφόμενοι οὐχ ὑπὸ μητρυιᾶς ἀλλ᾽ ὑπὸ μητρὸς τῆς χώρας (sc. τῆς Ἀττικῆς) Pl.“μχ.” 237b, cf. Plu.2.201e. (Cf. Arm. mauru 'stepmother', OE. módrie 'mother's sister'.)
μητρυι-ά , Dor. ματρ- , ᾶς, Ion. μητρυιή , ῆς, ἡ, Aeol. ματροία IG 12(2).257.6 (Lesbos):—