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

The patria potestas, the authority of the father, was absolute.

From Salon

But the old patria potestas had become completely obsolete, and the practical effect of the general adoption of this form of marriage was the absolute legal independence of the wife.

From Project Gutenberg

Any conviction involving deportation or the mines carried with it confiscation, though the wife could reclaim her dower and any gifts made to her before the commission of the offence, and so could children emancipated from the patria potestas.

From Project Gutenberg

Nam patria potestas in pietate debet, non atrocitate, consistere.”—Digest. lib. xlviii. tit.

From Project Gutenberg

Patria potestas, pā′tri-� pō-tes′tas, n. a father's control over his family, in ancient Rome, which was almost unlimited.

From Project Gutenberg