Definition of PATRIARCHY

patriarchy

Plural: patriarchies

Noun

  • a form of social organization in which a male is the family head and title is traced through the male line
  • A social system in which the father is head of the household, having authority over women and children, and in which lineage is traced through the male line.
  • A power structure in which men are dominant.
  • The office of a patriarch; a patriarchate.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin patriarchia, from Byzantine Greek πατριαρχία (patriarkhía), from Koine Greek πατριάρχης (patriárkhēs, “patriarch”), from πατρία (patría) and ἄρχω (árkhō). By surface analysis, patri- + -archy.

Synonyms

patriarchate

Scrabble Score: 20

patriarchy is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
patriarchy is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
patriarchy is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

patriarchy is a valid Words With Friends word