Patriarch

pā′tri-ärk, n. one who governs his family by paternal right: ( B. ) one of the early heads of families from Adam downwards to Abraham, Jacob, and his sons: in Eastern churches, a dignitary superior to an archbishop.— adjs. Patriarch′al , Patriarch′ic , belonging or subject to a patriarch: like a patriarch: of the nature of a patriarch.— ns. Pā′triarchalism , the condition of tribal government by a patriarch; Pā′triarch ate , the office or jurisdiction of a patriarch or church dignitary: the residence of a patriarch; Pā′triarch ism , government by a patriarch; Pā′triarchy , a community of related families under the authority of a patriarch. [O. Fr.,—L.,—Gr. patriarchēs — patēr , father, archē , beginning.]