Paterfamilias

Origin

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". Confer the English word family.

Full definition of paterfamilias

Noun

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

Synonyms

• patriarch

Antonyms

• (a man who is the head of a household) materfamilias