paterfamilias

[ pey-ter-fuh-mil-ee-uhs, pah-, pat-er- ]

noun

, plural pa·ter·fa·mil·i·as·es pa·tres·fa·mil·i·as [pey-treez-f, uh, -, mil, -ee-, uh, s, pah-, pa-]

1. the male head of a household or family, usually the father.
2. Roman Law.
   1. the head of the Roman family; a juridical entity who holds the patria potestas.
   2. a person who is not under the patria potestas of another.

paterfamilias

/ ˌpeɪtəfəˈmɪlɪˌæs /

noun

1. the male head of a household
2. Roman law
   1. the head of a household having authority over its members
   2. the parental or other authority of another person

Other Words From

• pater·fa·miliar adjective
• pater·fa·miliar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of paterfamilias¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Latin: literally, father (i.e., master) of the household, with archaic genitive form familiās of familia; family

Word History and Origins

Origin of paterfamilias¹

Latin: father of the family

Example Sentences

They’re going to take place in the family circle, which is evident when the paterfamilias starts listing the order of his favorite sons while they’re chowing down at the breakfast table.

From New York Times

There were meant to be so many rebels that they could be split into 'five families', a label that even one paterfamilias privately lamented "makes us look ridiculous".

From BBC

George also leaned into his role as Britain’s paterfamilias.

From National Geographic

He has spent four-and-a-half seasons desperate for the paterfamilias’ attention while also hating his guts.

From New York Times

Jake is all about family — “This family is our fortress,” he intones — and he’s a stern paterfamilias with a passel of kids.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• elder
• founder
• grandfather
• ruler