patriarch
IPA: pˈeɪtriɑrk
noun
- (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.
- 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.
- A founder of a political or religious movement, an organization or an enterprise.
- An old leader of a village or community.
- The male progenitor of a genetic or tribal line, or of a clan or extended family.
- The male head of a household or nuclear family.
Advertisement
Examples of "patriarch" in Sentences
- He is the patriarch of the family.
- He became the patriarch of the nation of Ammon.
- The event alarmed both the patriarch and sultan.
- The patriarch declared neutrality in the conflict.
- He is also the patriarch of the Soprano household.
- The Ecumenical Patriarchate is studying the question.
- The pope is not the patriarch of the Catholic Church.
- Homer Stryker was the patriarch of the Stryker Corporation.
- The cause of all this evil was the avarice of the patriarch.
- In 1925 the Metropolitanate was elevated to the rank of Patriarchate.
Advertisement
Advertisement