noun

patriarch

patriarch

He was the patriarch of the family.

He was the patriarch of the family.

The patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church visited.

The patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church visited.

((the patriarch of sth.)) the male head of a family or tribe He is the patriarch of a large clan.

Synonyms: elder, founder, head of family; Antonyms: matriarch

From Greek 'patriarkhēs', from 'patria' (family) + 'arkhēs' (ruler), meaning 'father-ruler'.

Think of 'patri-' as 'father' (like paternal) and 'arch' as 'ruler' (like monarch).

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