patriarch

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patriarch chief of a family or tribe XII; bishop of certain pre-eminent sees XIII; father of an institution XVI; venerable old man XIX. — (O)F. patriarche — ecclL. patriarcha — Gr. patriárkhēs head of a family, f. patriá family, clan (f. patḗr FATHER) + -arkhēs ruler (see -ARCH).
So patriarchal XVI. — late L. patriarchate XVII. — medL. patriarchy †patriarchate XVI; patriarchal government XVII. — medL.

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