A.mother-state, as related to her colonies, of Athens in relation to the Ionians, Hdt.7.51, Th.6.82; of Doris in relation to the Peloponn. Dorians, Hdt.8.31, Th.1.107, 3.92; of Meroe in relation to the Ethiopians, Hdt.2.29; of Thera, “μεγαλᾶν πολίων μ.” Pi.P.4.20; “μ. Λοκρῶν Ὀπόεις” Simon.93; of the Attic Salamis, as the μ. of the Cyprian, A.Pers.895(lyr.); of Corinth, as the μ. of Corcyra, Th.1.24; of Rome, Gal.14.296.
2. metaph., ἐστὶ μ. τοῦ ψυχροῦ [ὁ ἐγκέφαλος] Hp.Carn.4; “ἡ ἱστορία μ. τῆς φιλοσοφίας” D.S. 1.2, cf. Chrysipp.Stoic.3.199; γεωμετρία ἀρχὴ καὶ μ. τῶν ἄλλων (sc. μαθημάτων) Philol. ap. Plu.2.718e.