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paterfamilias

play
noun pa·ter·fa·mil·i·as \ˌpa-tər-fə-ˈmi-lē-əs, ˌpä-, ˌpā-\

Definition of paterfamilias

plural

patresfamilias

play \ˌpā-ˌtrēz-, ˌpä-ˌtrās-\

  1. 1 :  the male head of a household

  2. 2 :  the father of a family

  3. 3 :  a man who originates or is a leading figure in something (such as a movement, discipline, or enterprise)

See paterfamilias defined for English-language learners

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Origin and Etymology of paterfamilias

Middle English, from Latin, from pater father + familias, archaic genitive of familia household — more at father, family


First Known Use: 15th century

PATERFAMILIAS Defined for English Language Learners

paterfamilias

play
noun

Definition of paterfamilias for English Language Learners

  • : a man who is the head of a family

Learn More about paterfamilias

  1. See words that rhyme with paterfamilias Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paterfamilias

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