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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. A dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as, the patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Antioch.
3. 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)
Origin: F. Patriarche, L. Patriarcha, Gr, fr. Lineage, especially on the father's side, race; father + a leader, chief, fr. To lead, rule. See Father, Archaic.
(01 Mar 1998)
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