patria potestas

[ pey-tree-uh poh-tes-tuhs, pah-, pa-; Latin pah-tri-ah poh-tes-tahs ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of patria potestas¹

From Latin: literally, “paternal power”

Example Sentences

Such is the tremendous influence of lifelong habit, the irresistible power of the patria potestas when it has never been relaxed.

From Project Gutenberg

But from the undisputed existence of patria potestas no similar inference can be drawn.

From Project Gutenberg

Every conquering race has accordingly developed the "patria potestas" to a greater or less degree.

From Project Gutenberg

In the West, however, the individual has become the civil unit; the "patria potestas" has thus been all but lost.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg