patriarche

patriarch

noun pah-tree-ARK Rare

Usage Note

Patriarche refers both to the biblical founding fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and, in everyday French, to the respected elderly male head of a large family. In Orthodox Christianity it also designates a senior bishop. The abstract noun is patriarcat.

Examples

"Le patriarche réunit sa famille chaque dimanche."

Natural Translation

The patriarch gathers his family every Sunday.

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