patriarch
/ˈpeɪtɹiɑɹk/ noun C1- The highest form of bishop, in the ancient world having authority over other bishops in the province but now generally as an honorary title; in Roman Catholicism, considered a bishop second only to the Pope in rank.
- A male leader of a family, tribe or ethnic group, especially one of the twelve sons of Jacob (considered to have created the twelve tribes of Israel) or (in plural) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
- A founder of a political or religious movement, an organization or an enterprise.
- An old leader of a village or community.
- The male progenitor of a genetic or tribal line, or of a clan or extended family.
- The male head of a household or nuclear family.
- A shade of purple
Plural patriarchs
From the library
Right in front of the house, upon the left-hand side of the drive, there stood a patriarch among oaks, one of the most magnificent trees that I have ever seen.
“My dear,” said Villefort, in answer to his wife, “you know I have never been accustomed to play the patriarch in my family, nor have I ever considered that the fate of a universe was to be decided by my nod.
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