patrimony

[ pa-truh-moh-nee ]
See synonyms for: patrimonypatrimonial on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural pat·ri·mo·nies.
  1. an estate inherited from one's father or ancestors.

  2. any quality, characteristic, etc., that is inherited; heritage.

  1. the aggregate of one's property.

  2. the estate or endowment of a church, religious house, etc.

Origin of patrimony

1
1300–50; Middle English patrimonie<Middle French <Latin patrimōnium.See patri-, -mony

Other words for patrimony

Other words from patrimony

  • pat·ri·mo·ni·al, adjective
  • pat·ri·mo·ni·al·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use patrimony in a sentence

  • In the fifth century the Salic law repealed the right of inheritance of women to patrimonial estates.

    Woman and Socialism | August Bebel
  • Our patrimonial estate was greatly impaired by his prodigality, and was altogether lost by his successor, my unfortunate father.

  • Since then it has remained in the same family, its pride, its patrimonial jewel, its Regent diamond.

    La Grenadiere | Honore de Balzac
  • Light rest the turf upon him beneath his own patrimonial oaks!

  • I was born to no proud patrimonial estate; from my father I inherited only infancy, ignorance, and indigence.

British Dictionary definitions for patrimony

patrimony

/ (ˈpætrɪmənɪ) /


nounplural -nies
  1. an inheritance from one's father or other ancestor

  2. the endowment of a church

Origin of patrimony

1
C14 patrimoyne, from Old French, from Latin patrimonium paternal inheritance

Derived forms of patrimony

  • patrimonial (ˌpætrɪˈməʊnɪəl), adjective
  • patrimonially, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012