paterfamilias

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See also: pater familias

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From around 1425 to 1475 from late Middle English which itself came from the Latin term with the same meaning. From the Latin term pater ("father") + familiās, an archaic genitive of familia ("family", "household"). Literally meaning "father of the family" or "father of the household". Compare the English word family.

Noun

paterfamilias (plural paterfamiliases or patresfamilias)

  1. A man who is the head of a household, family or tribe.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • (antonym(s) of a woman who is the head of a household): materfamilias

Translations

Spanish

Noun

paterfamilias m (plural paterfamilias)

  1. paterfamilias

Further reading