Here are some examples of words that use the root "mater":
* Maternal: Relating to a mother.
* Matriarch: A female head of a family or tribe.
* Matrix: A place or substance where something is developed or formed (think of a womb).
* Maternalism: The practice or belief of being motherly or protective.
However, "mater" can also be combined with other prefixes and suffixes to create words with different meanings, such as:
* Alma Mater: A school or university that a person attended.
* Prima Materia: The basic substance or material from which something is made.
So, while "mater" generally refers to "mother" or "female," its meaning can be nuanced depending on the context.