patriarch

/ˈpeɪtɹɪɑːk/

Etymology

From Middle English patriark, patriarche, from Late Latin patriarcha; later reinforced by Old French patriarche, from Ancient Greek πατριάρχης (patriárkhēs, “the founder of the tribe/family”), from Ancient Greek πατριά (patriá, “generation, ancestry, descent, tribe, family”) + -ᾰ́ρχης (-ắrkhēs, “-arch”), with some senses likely influenced directly by Latin pāter (“father”) or Ancient Greek πᾰτήρ (pătḗr, “father”). Compare matriarch. By surface analysis, patri- + -arch.

patriarch means the highest form of bishop, in the ancient world having authority over other bishops in the province but now generally as an honorary title; in Roman Catholicism, considered a bishop second only to the Pope in rank. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 72 out of 100.

Why this word is great

PATRIARCH — [Noun] A male leader, founder, or venerable elder of a family, tribe, religion, or organization. From Late Latin patriarcha, from Ancient Greek πατριάρχης (patriárkhēs), from πατριά (patriá, "family, lineage") + -άρχης (-árkhēs, "ruler"). Unlike "matriarch," which centers a maternal line of authority, or "paterfamilias," a strictly legal head of a Roman household, "patriarch" carries the weight of genesis and enduring spiritual governance. It is the bearded figure in the faded daguerreotype, the source of all stories; the gnarled olive tree at the center of a dusty village square, its roots deeper than memory; the silent portrait in the gilded frame, from whom all branching fortunes claim their source. He is the fixed point from which all stories of origin are measured, and to which all debts of identity are owed.

noun

The highest form of bishop, in the ancient world having authority over other bishops in the province but now generally as an honorary title; in Roman Catholicism, considered a bishop second only to the Pope in rank.
A male leader of a family, tribe or ethnic group, especially one of the twelve sons of Jacob (considered to have created the twelve tribes of Israel) or (in plural) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.“Men and brethren / lett me frely ſpeake vnto you of the patriarke David: For he is both deed and buryed / and his ſepulcre remayneth with vs vnto this daye.”
A founder of a political or religious movement, an organization or an enterprise.
An old leader of a village or community.“The opinions of this junto were completely controlled by Nicholas Vedder, a patriarch of the village, and landlord of the inn, at the door of which he took his seat from morning till night, just moving sufficiently to […] keep in the shade of a large tree; […]”
The male progenitor of a genetic or tribal line, or of a clan or extended family.
The male head of a household or nuclear family.“The popular Duck Dynasty television show and Duck Commander products took center stage in a controversy over comments made by Phil Robertson. As patriarch of the family and founder of the company, he stars in the A&E reality show based on his Louisiana life and company.”