Pa″tri‐arch (–ärk), n. [F. patriarche, L. patriarcha, Gr. παριάρχησ, fr. παριά lineage, especially on the father's side, race; πατήρ father + αρχὄσ a leader, chief, fr. ἄρχειν to lead, rule. See Father, Archaic.] 1. The father and ruler of a family; one who governs his family or descendants by paternal right; — usually applied to heads of families in ancient history, especially in Biblical and Jewish history to those who lived before the time of Moses.
2. (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.) A dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as, the patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Antioch.
3. A venerable old man; an elder. Also used figuratively.
The patriarch hoary, the sage of his kith and the hamlet. Longfellow.
The monarch oak, the partiarch of trees. Dryde.