patriarch
UK/ˈpeitriɑːk/US/'peitriɑ:k/
TOEFLC2
Definitions
n.
The male head of a family or tribe.
家长，族长。
n.
A revered or founding elder of a movement, field, or organization.
（某领域的）元老，创始人。
n.
A senior bishop in some Christian churches.
（某些基督教会的）大主教，宗主教。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpatri (father) + arch (ruler) = the father who rules a family or tribe. From that literal head-of-household sense it broadened to any revered founding elder, and in church use to a senior bishop.
Root patr still carries 26 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.family patriarch家族族长
- 2.biblical patriarch圣经中的族长
- 3.aging patriarch年迈的族长
Example Sentences
- 1.
The old man was the patriarch of a sprawling family.
- 2.
She is regarded as a patriarch of modern jazz.
- 3.
The patriarch led the Easter service in the cathedral.
Easily Confused
patriarch vs matriarch — patriarch is the male head (father-ruler); matriarch is the female head (mother-ruler). Same -arch "ruler," with patr/matr telling you which parent.