patriciate

American  

[puh-trish-ee-it, ‑-eyt] / pəˈtrɪʃ i ɪt, ‑ˌeɪt /

noun

1. the patrician class.

2. patrician rank.

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patriciate British  

/ -ˌeɪt, pəˈtrɪʃɪɪt /

noun

1. the dignity, position, or rank of a patrician

2. the class or order of patricians

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Etymology

Origin of patriciate

1650–60; < Medieval Latin patriciātus equivalent to Latin patrici(us) ( see patrician) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Those who have borne it have belonged of right to the true patriciate of their Commonwealth.

From William Hickling Prescott by Peck, Harry Thurston

The seventh power was the patriciate, which continued about fifty years.

From The Gospel Day Or, the Light of Christianity by Orr, Charles Ebert

Foremost among these was the great commercial capital, Amsterdam, whose rich burgher patriciate did not scruple on occasion to defy the authority of the States-General, the stadholder and even of the States of Holland themselves.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various

The oligarchical rule was so severe, that a patrician marrying a woman of the lower class forfeited his right to participate in the government, and deprived his offspring of the patriciate.

From The Comedies of Carlo Goldoni edited with an introduction by Helen Zimmern by Goldoni, Carlo

He tried to revive the patriciate; he wanted to have, cooperating with him, a governing class with the ancient sense of responsibility and turn for affairs.

From The Crest-Wave of Evolution A Course of Lectures in History, Given to the Graduates' Class in the Raja-Yoga College, Point Loma, in the College-Year 1918-19 by Morris, Kenneth