paterfamilias

[pey-ter-fuh-mil-ee-uhs, pah-, pat-er-]

noun

plural

paterfamiliases, patresfamilias 

1. the male head of a household or family, usually the father.

2. Roman Law.

   1. the head of the Roman family; a juridical entity who holds the patria potestas.

   2. a person who is not under the patria potestas of another.

paterfamilias

/ ˌpeɪtəfəˈmɪlɪˌæs /

noun

1. the male head of a household

2. Roman law

   1. the head of a household having authority over its members

   2. the parental or other authority of another person

Other Word Forms

• paterfamiliar adjective
• paterfamiliarly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of paterfamilias¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Latin: literally, father (i.e., master) of the household, with archaic genitive form familiās of familia; family

Word History and Origins

Origin of paterfamilias¹

Latin: father of the family

Example Sentences

He walked on stage, now the proud paterfamilias with greying hair and a broad welcoming smile on his face as he surveyed the nearly full house.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Until the events of “Through the Valley,” the second “The Last of Us” episode of Season 2, the Stark paterfamilias' ignoble demise was the most agonizing turn of all.

Read more on Salon

This strict minister paterfamilias disapproved of his violist son, and in the wake of loss, Davis finds solace in music and womanly identity, slowly healing from estrangement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They’re going to take place in the family circle, which is evident when the paterfamilias starts listing the order of his favorite sons while they’re chowing down at the breakfast table.

Read more on New York Times

There were meant to be so many rebels that they could be split into 'five families', a label that even one paterfamilias privately lamented "makes us look ridiculous".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• elder 
• founder 
• grandfather 
• ruler