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• Patri
  Patri

  noun

  Angelo 1877–1965, U.S. educator and writer, born in Italy.
• patri-
  patri-

  a combining form meaning “father,” occurring originally in loanwords from Greek and Latin (patriarch; patrician ), and used in the formation of new compounds (patrilineal ).

Patri

¹ American  

[pah-tree] / ˈpɑ tri /

noun

1. Angelo 1877–1965, U.S. educator and writer, born in Italy.

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patri- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “father,” occurring originally in loanwords from Greek and Latin (patriarch; patrician ), and used in the formation of new compounds (patrilineal ).

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patri- British  

combining form

1. father

   patricide

   patrilocal

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Usage

What does patri- mean? The combining form patri- is used like a prefix meaning “father.” It is often used in a variety of scientific and technical terms, especially in anthropology. Patri- comes from Latin pater, meaning “father.” The Greek cognate, also meaning “father,” is patḗr, which is the source of patriarchy. Find out more at our entry for the word. The “mother” counterpart to patri- is matri-. Check out our Words That Use article for matri- to learn more. What are variants of patri-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, patri- becomes the rare form patr-. Want to know more? Check out our Words That Use article for patr-.

Etymology

Origin of patri-

Combining form representing Latin pater, Greek patḗr father

Example Sentences

Descriptions of Patri Guijarro tend to include the phrase "unsung hero" and is it clear why.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

"Patri underneath that midfield two, she instructed everything - I thought she was excellent," Corsie said.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2025

Based in San Francisco, the organization was founded by Patri Friedman, a Google software engineer and grandson of Milton Friedman, the Nobel Prize–winning economist best known for his ideas about the limitations of government.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2025

Spain came into the tournament missing some of their best talent due to the player revolt, including several members from Barcelona's triumphant Champions League campaign like Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro and Sandra Panos.

From BBC • Aug. 20, 2023

Then there was a soft clattering roar as the monks rose to their feet, and in double volume from the bent heads sounded out the Gloria Patri.

From The King's Achievement by Benson, Robert Hugh