Patriarch(n.) The father and ruler of a family; one who governs his family or descendants by paternal right; -- usually applied to heads of families in ancient history, especially in Biblical and Jewish history to those who lived before the time of Moses.
Patriarch(n.) A dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as, the patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Antioch.
Patriarch(n.) A venerable old man; an elder. Also used figuratively.
Patriarchal(a.) Of or pertaining to a patriarch or to patriarchs; possessed by, or subject to, patriarchs; as, patriarchal authority or jurisdiction; a patriarchal see; a patriarchal church.
Patriarchal(a.) Characteristic of a patriarch; venerable.
Patriarchal(a.) Having an organization of society and government in which the head of the family exercises authority over all its generations.
Patriarchate(n.) The office, dignity, or jurisdiction of a patriarch.
Patriarchate(n.) The residence of an ecclesiastic patriarch.
Patriarchate(n.) A patriarchal form of government or society. See Patriarchal, a., 3.
Patriarchic(a.) Patriarchal.
Patriarchism(n.) Government by a patriarch, or the head of a family.
Words within patriarch