I.the father or chief of a tribe, a patriarch.
I. Lit.: “secundum patriarchas et ceteros majores,” Tert. Idol. 17; id. Cor. Mil. 9; Prud. Psych. 534; Vulg. 1 Par. 8, 28; id. Act. 7, 8.—Gen. plur. patriarchūm, Paul. Nol. Carm. 24, 209.—
B. Transf., a chief bishop, a patriarch, Vop. Firm. Saturn. 8, 4.—
II. Trop.: “philosophi, patriarchae ut ita dixerim, haereticorum,” Tert. Anim. 3.