ˌpa(a)rə̇nzˈpā.trēˌē, -zˈpa.t-; -zˈpä.trēˌī noun
Etymology: Latin
: the father of the country constituted in law by the state (as in the United States) or by the sovereign (as in Great Britain) in the capacity of legal guardian of persons not sui juris and without natural guardians, of heir to persons without natural heirs, and of protector of all citizens or subjects unable to protect themselves
the requirement of escheat to the parens patriae — Harvard Law Review