[ 'peɪtrɪα:k ]
■ noun
1》 the male head of a family or tribe.
↘an older man who is powerful within a family or organization.
↘a founder.
2》 a biblical figure regarded as a father of the human race, especially Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their forefathers, or the sons of Jacob.
3》 a bishop of one of the most ancient Christian sees (Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and formerly Rome).
↘the head of an autocephalous Orthodox Church.
↘a Roman Catholic bishop ranking above primates and metropolitans and immediately below the Pope.
Derivatives
~ate noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~e , via eccles. L. from Gk patriarkhēs , from patria 'family' + arkhēs 'ruling'.