patriciate

American  

[puh-trish-ee-it, ‑-eyt] / pəˈtrɪʃ i ɪt, ‑ˌeɪt /

noun

1. the patrician class.

2. patrician rank.

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patriciate British  

/ -ˌeɪt, pəˈtrɪʃɪɪt /

noun

1. the dignity, position, or rank of a patrician

2. the class or order of patricians

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Etymology

Origin of patriciate

1650–60; < Medieval Latin patriciātus equivalent to Latin patrici(us) ( patrician ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

We are at one in this: the praetorian guard will follow my dictates, the patriciate of Rome will bow the knee to thee.

From "Unto Caesar" by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness

Those who have borne it have belonged of right to the true patriciate of their Commonwealth.

From William Hickling Prescott by Peck, Harry Thurston

The old municipal patriciate, which used to form the connecting link between the bourgeoisie and the nobility, had disappeared, and a feeling of common civic fellowship had taken its place.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2 "Demijohn" to "Destructor" by Various

To the Amsterdam patriciate the yearly visit of the Queen is a social function full of interest.

From Dutch Life in Town and Country by Hough, P. M.

Lady Barb verily appeared to have for the representative of the American patriciate a mysterious fascination. 

From Lady Barbarina The Siege of London, An International Episode and Other Tales by James, Henry