Patriarchy
/ˈpeɪ.tri.ɑːr.ki/noun
A social system in which men hold primary power and authority.
Did you know?The word comes straight from Greek political language: patriarkhēs originally meant a clan or household ruler, and its deeper root patri- is the same ancient “father” source behind words like paternal and patron.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ph₂tḗr
“father”
Ancient Greek
Greek
patḗr
“father”
Ancient Greek
Greek
patriárkhēs
“chief of a family or tribe; patriarch”
Late Latin
Latin
patriarcha
“patriarch, chief bishop”
Old French
Old French
patriarche
“patriarch”
Late 17th Century
English
patriarchy
“rule by a patriarch or father; later, a social system dominated by men”