n.
Pronunciation: ˌ pa-t ə r-f ə - ' mi-l ē - ə s, ˌ pä-, ˌ p ā -
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural pa · tres · fa · mil · i · as \ ˌ p ā - ˌ tr ē z-, ˌ pä- ˌ tr ā s- \
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin, from pater father + familias, archaic genitive of familia household ― more at FATHER , FAMILY
Date: 15th century
1 : the male head of a household
2 : the father of a family
3 : a man who originates or is a leading figure in something (as a movement, discipline, or enterprise)