PATRIARCHS
Noun
patriarchs
plural of patriarch
Source: Wiktionary
PATRIARCH
Pa"tri*arch, n. Etym: [F. patriarche, L. patriarcha, Gr. 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.)
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition