patriarchal cross

American  

noun

1. a Latin cross having a shorter crosspiece above the customary one.

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patriarchal cross British  

noun

1. a cross with two high horizontal bars, the upper one shorter than the lower

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Etymology

Origin of patriarchal cross

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

It is a patriarchal cross with piercings at the crossings, and rosettes at the ends of the arms, which are probably later additions.

From The Shores of the Adriatic The Austrian Side, The Küstenlande, Istria, and Dalmatia by Jackson, F. Hamilton (Frederick Hamilton)

On the reverse a holy man is represented on his knees in the attitude of prayer before a patriarchal cross, on either side of which are the letters Alpha and Omega.

From The History of the Knights Templars, the Temple Church, and the Temple by Addison, Charles G.