See Also: paterfamilias(dictionary)
paterfamilias(dictionary)

paterfamilias (iou)



paterfamilias noun. . L15.
[Latin, formed as PATER + archaic genit. of familia family.]
A male head of a family or household. L15.
R. P. Graves Edward Housman..accompanied by his six eldest children, the outward picture of a..Victorian paterfamilias.
Roman Law. The male head of a family or household having authority over its members. Also, any male legally independent and free from parental control. M19.