paterfamilias
Pronunciation: /ˌpeɪtəfəˈmɪlɪas, ˌpatə-/
Definition of paterfamilias
noun ( plural patresfamilias /ˌpeɪtriːz-, ˌpatriːz-/)
- the male head of a family or household: at the meal, the story of the Passover is told by the paterfamiliasCompare with materfamilias.
Origin:
Latin, literally 'father of the family'