Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Patriarch
Pa′tri-arch
(pā′trĭ-ärk)
, Noun.
1.
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.
2.
(R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.)
A dignitary superior to the order of archbishops;
as, the
. patriarch
of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Antioch3.
A venerable old man; an elder. Also used figuratively.
The
patriarch
hoary, the sage of his kith and the hamlet. Longfellow.
The monarch oak, the
partiarch
of trees. Dryde.
Webster 1828 Edition
Patriarch
PA'TRIARCH
,Noun.
1.
The father and ruler of a family; one who governs by paternal right. It is usually applied to the progenitors of the Israelites, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the sons of Jacob, or to the heads of families before the flood; as the antediluvian patriarchs.2.
A learned and distinguished character among the Jews.3.
In the christian church, a dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as the patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Ephesus.Definition 2024
Patriarch
patriarch
patriarch
See also: Patriarch
English
Noun
patriarch (plural patriarchs)
- (Christianity) The highest form of bishop, in the ancient world having authority over other bishops in the province but now generally as an honorary title; in Roman Catholicism, considered a bishop second only to the Pope in rank. [from 9th c.]
- In Biblical contexts, a male leader of a family, tribe or ethnic group, especially one of the twelve sons of Jacob (considered to have created the twelve tribes of Israel) or (in plural) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. [from 13th c.]
- 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Acts II:
- Men and brethren, lett me frely speake unto you of the patriarke David: For he is both deed and buryed, and his sepulcre remayneth with us unto this daye.
- 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Acts II:
- A founder of a political or religious movement, an organization or an enterprise. [from 16th c.]
- An old leader of a village or community.
- 1819, Washington Irving, The Sketch Book, “Rip Van Winkle”:
- The opinions of this junto were completely controlled by Nicholas Vedder, a patriarch of the village, and landlord of the inn, at the door of which he took his seat from morning to night, just moving sufficiently to […] keep in the shade of a large tree; […]
- 1819, Washington Irving, The Sketch Book, “Rip Van Winkle”:
- The male head of a tribal line or family.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Translations
male leader
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Dutch
Pronunciation
Noun
patriarch m (plural patriarchen, diminutive patriarchje n, feminine matriarch)
Related terms
- patriarchaal
- patriarchie
- patrimoniaal
- patrimonie