patria potestas

American  

[pey-tree-uh poh-tes-tuhs, pah-, pa-, pah-tri-ah poh-tes-tahs] / ˈpeɪ tri ə poʊˈtɛs təs, ˈpɑ-, ˈpæ-, ˈpɑ trɪˌɑ poʊˈtɛs tɑs /

noun

Roman Law.

1. the power vested in the paterfamilias or head of the Roman family with respect to his wife, natural or adopted children, and agnatic descendants: title to family property is vested exclusively in the paterfamilias, property acquired by a family member becomes family property, and no family member can enter into a transaction in their own right.

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Etymology

Origin of patria potestas

From Latin: literally, “paternal power”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

patria potestas

Some enslaved people were sold into bondage through patria potestas.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

The patria potestas, the authority of the father, was absolute.

From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2022

At one time the husband was held to possess the patria potestas, or paternal power, in its full force.

From Women and the Alphabet A Series of Essays by Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Appius for his own purposes, in interpreting his own law, introduces a distinction betwixt those who were sui juris, entirely free, and those who were subject to the patria potestas.

From The History of Rome, Books 01 to 08 by Titus Livius

The empire was an assumption by the state of functions and powers which had been family powers and functions, and part of the patria potestas.

From Folkways A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners, Customs, Mores, and Morals by William Graham Sumner