Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Patriarch
Pa′tri-arch
(pā′trĭ-ärk)
, Noun.
1.
The father and ruler of a family; one who governs his family or descendants by paternal right; – usually applied to heads of families in ancient history, especially in Biblical and Jewish history to those who lived before the time of Moses.
2.
(R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.)
A dignitary superior to the order of archbishops;
as, the
. patriarch
of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Antioch3.
A venerable old man; an elder. Also used figuratively.
The
patriarch
hoary, the sage of his kith and the hamlet. Longfellow.
The monarch oak, the
partiarch
of trees. Dryde.
Webster 1828 Edition
Patriarch
PA'TRIARCH
,Noun.
1.
The father and ruler of a family; one who governs by paternal right. It is usually applied to the progenitors of the Israelites, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the sons of Jacob, or to the heads of families before the flood; as the antediluvian patriarchs.2.
A learned and distinguished character among the Jews.3.
In the christian church, a dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as the patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Ephesus.