patriarchate

noun

Etymology: From Middle French patriarcat, from Old French patriarcat, from Medieval Latin patriarchatus, from Ancient Greek πατριάρχης (patriárkhēs, “patriarch”). By surface analysis, patriarch + -ate (forms nouns denoting rank or office, the concrete charge of it, a body of people involved with it).

1. A patriarchal system or community.

   “The rise of the patriarchate saw the overpowering of the female goddess by the male god. The moon-god gave place to the sun-god. The tables were turned with a vengeance. Not only was the male granted a share in the phenomenon of generation; he was given the main share.”

2. The term of office of a Christian patriarch.

   “The patriarchate of Pope John Paul II as Patriarch of the West was more than 25 years.”

3. The office or ecclesial jurisdiction of such a patriarch.

   “The Patriarchate of Constantinople has primacy over the whole of the Orthodox world.”

4. The office-space occupied by a patriarch and his staff.

   “The Latin patriarchate in Jerusalem is, by modern standards, a very cramped space.”