DictionaryRoot: patria
Greek
patria
family, clan
1 / 1

noun
patriarch
PAY-tree-ark/ˈpeɪtriɑːrk/
A father or respected older man who leads a family or group.
Etymology
The pieces combine “family or clan” with “to rule,” making a patriarch a family’s ruling head. The family word itself derives from “father,” linking paternal status with authority over the group.