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paterfamilias

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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 :the male head of a household
2 :the father of a family
3 :a man who originates or is a leading figure in something (such as a movement, discipline, or enterprise)

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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

PATERFAMILIAS Defined for English Language Learners

paterfamilias

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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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