patrilinear
|pa-tri-lin-e-ar|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌpætrɪˈlɪniər/
🇬🇧
/ˌpætrɪˈlɪniə/
tracing descent through the male line
Etymology
Etymology Information
'patrilinear' originates from Latin, specifically the words 'pater' meaning 'father' and 'linea' meaning 'line'.
Historical Evolution
'patrilinear' was formed in modern English by combining the Latin roots 'pater' and 'linea', modeled after the similar word 'patrilineal'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'tracing descent through the male line', and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the male line.
In some cultures, inheritance is patrilinear, passing from father to son.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/08 21:56