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

Related Words

• elder 
• founder 
• grandfather 
• ruler