ˈpeɪtrɪɑ:k n. 1
the male head of a
family or
tribe. 2 (often in pl.) Bibl.
any of
those regarded as fathers of the
human race,
esp. the sons of Jacob, or Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob, and
their forefathers. 3 Eccl. a the
title of a
chief bishop, esp. those presiding
over the Churches of Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople, and (formerly) Rome;
now also the title of the heads of
certain autocephalous Orthodox Churches. b (in the
Roman Catholic Church) a bishop
ranking next above primates and metropolitans, and
immediately below the pope. c the head of a Uniate
community. 4 a the founder of an
order,
science, etc. b a
venerable old man. c the oldest
member of a
group. øøpatriarchal adj. patriarchally adv. [ME f. OF patriarche f. eccl.L patriarcha f. Gk patriarkhes f. patria family f.
pater father + -arkhes -ruler]