noun a venerable old man; an elder. also used figuratively.
2. patriarch ·noun a dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as, the patriarch of constantinople, of alexandria, or of antioch.
3. patriarch ·noun 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.