patriarchal, a.
(peɪtrɪˈɑːkəl)
Also 6–7 -chall, 7 -call.
[ad. late L. patriarchāl-is (Alcimus c 500), f. patriarcha patriarch: see -al1. Cf. F. patriarcal (14–15th c. in Godef. Compl.).]
1. Of or belonging to a patriarch; of or characteristic of the patriarchs or their times.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., Patriarchal, of or belonging to a Patriarch. 1687 Norris Coll. Misc., To Dr. Plot ii, Who could to Patriarchal years live on. 1699 Evelyn Acetaria (1729) 160 Here might we attest the Patriarchal World. 1727 De Foe Hist. Appar. iii. (1840) 24 Some are of the opinion, by the sons of God, there is meant the patriarchal heads of families. a 1763 Byrom Disinterested Love of God iv, This Love the patriarchal Eye, And that of Moses could descry. 1884 J. Hall Chr. Home 110 Servants, indeed, do not now stand to their masters as they did in patriarchal times. |
2. Eccl. Of or belonging to a hierarchical patriarch; ruled by a patriarch; of the nature or rank of a patriarch.
Patriarchal church, a title of the five great Roman basilicas: viz. St. John Lateran, St. Peter's, St. Paul's, St. Mary the greater, and St. Lawrence extra muros.
| 1570 Foxe A. & M. (ed. 2) 11/2 The cause why the sea of Rome, emong all other patriarchall seas, is numbred for the first sea by the auncient fathers. 1579 Fulke Confut. Sanders 545 The Pope did erect patriarchal Seas at Aquileia, and at Senis. 1670 R. Lassels Voy. Italy II. 162 [St. Lawrence] is one of the five Patriarchal churches, and therefore is not titular of any Cardinal. 1870–4 Anderson Missions Amer. Bd. III. iii. 42 Letters were addressed from Rome to the Patriarchal Vicar of Mount Lebanon. |
b. Her. patriarchal cross, one with two transverse pieces, the upper being the shorter: an emblem of the patriarchs of the Greek Church.
| 1682 Gibbon Introd. ad Latin. Blason. 78 Cross Patriarchal... As the Staves of the Popes are thrice crossed, so those of Patriarchs and Cardinals are but twice. 1882 Cussans Her. iv. (ed. 3) 60 The Patriarchal Cross is a Greek Cross, the upper limb of which is traversed by a shorter. |
3. Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a patriarchy.
| 1828 Scott F.M. Perth xxviii, To testify their acceptance of the patriarchal chief who claimed their allegiance. 1844 Emerson Lect., Yng. Amer. Wks. (Bohn) II. 298 The patriarchal form of government readily becomes despotic. 1883 Maine Early Law vii. 196 The Patriarchal theory of society is..the theory of its origin in separate families, held together by the authority and protection of the eldest valid male ascendant. 1902 A. MacBain in Skene's Highlanders Scot. 402 The succession among the Scots was Patriarchal. |
4. Resembling a patriarch, venerable, aged; like that of a patriarch.
| 1837 Hawthorne Twice-told T. (1851) II. ii. 34 The Select⁓men of Boston, plain, patriarchal fathers of the people. 1862 Burton Bk. Hunter i. 43 The patriarchal head of an agreeable and elegant household. 1898 Voice (N.Y.) 21 Apr. 3/2 Abraham..is a splendid figure with his long, white, patriarchal beard. |
b. transf. Of an animal, tree, etc.: Oldest of a flock or group, aged, ancestral; of things generally: Ancient, primitive.
| 1837 Sir F. Palgrave Merch. & Friar i. (1844) 15 To limp..through primitive ruts and patriarchal bridle-paths. 1839 Longfellow Voices Nt. Prel. iii, Beneath some patriarchal tree. 1850 R. G. Cumming Hunter's Life S. Afr. (1902) 141/1 Along the spoor of the patriarchal old black buck. |
Hence patriˈarchally adv., in a patriarchal way.
| 1835 Fraser's Mag. XI. 482 Why might not [they] have continued to flourish patriarchally in the woods of Virginia? |